Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe
Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make meal combining tender pasta with a flavorful sauce of sautéed garlic, crushed tomatoes, and rich heavy cream, finished with aromatic herbs and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Pasta
- 12 oz (340g) pasta of your choice (e.g., spaghetti, penne)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Crushed Tomatoes: Stir in the crushed tomatoes along with dried basil and dried oregano. Let the mixture cook for about 5 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Mix in Cream: Lower the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Season: Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper to your preferred balance.
- Combine Pasta: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss thoroughly until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy tomato garlic sauce.
- Serve: Heat through briefly then remove from heat. Serve the pasta garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use any pasta shape you prefer; penne, spaghetti, or fusilli all work well.
- For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Adding crushed red pepper flakes can give the dish a nice spicy kick.
- Fresh garlic can be replaced with garlic powder in a pinch, though fresh is preferred for best flavor.
- Keep an eye on the garlic while sautéing to prevent burning, which can make the sauce bitter.
Keywords: creamy tomato garlic pasta, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, quick dinner, Italian pasta dish, garlic pasta sauce