Print

Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe

4.6 from 132 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Mix in Cream: Lower the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
  5. Season: Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper to your preferred balance.
  6. 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.
  7. 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