Description
This creamy tomato pasta is a quick and comforting dish blending rich tomato sauce with a luscious cream sauce, enhanced by garlic and Italian seasoning. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for a flavorful weeknight meal that serves four.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper, to taste
To Serve
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Drain when ready.
- Sauté Garlic: While pasta is cooking, heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat until melted. Add minced garlic and sauté for about one minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning and to release the garlic’s aroma.
- Make Sauce: Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, heavy cream, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir until the sauce is smooth, then cook on gentle heat for approximately 5 minutes until it thickens slightly and bubbles gently.
- Season Sauce: Taste and season the sauce with salt and pepper generously. If the sauce tastes too acidic or tangy, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Drain the pasta and immediately toss it with the creamy tomato sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of hot pasta water to loosen it. Serve promptly with plenty of freshly grated parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- For extra flavor, garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce but it will be less rich.
- Adjust garlic amount based on your taste preference.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
- If sauce thickens too much after standing, reheat gently with a splash of cream or pasta water.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
