Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe
A creamy and flavorful Tomato Garlic Pasta recipe combining al dente pasta with a rich sauce made from sautéed garlic, diced tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. This easy stovetop dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight meal.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (no added sugar)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving some cooking water for later use.
- Sauté Garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and golden brown, about 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Simmer Tomatoes: Add the diced tomatoes along with their juices to the skillet. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld.
- Add Cream: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce bubble gently for 2 minutes to incorporate and thicken.
- Melt Cheese and Season: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss it with the sauce. If needed, add some reserved pasta cooking water to adjust the consistency and help the sauce coat the pasta evenly.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy this creamy tomato and garlic pasta dish fresh.
Notes
- Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
- For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based cream and vegan Parmesan.
- Add fresh basil or crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Keywords: Tomato Garlic Pasta, creamy pasta recipe, easy Italian pasta, garlic pasta sauce, penne pasta recipe