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The Best Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta

The Best Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta
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The Best Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta is a comforting, quick, and easy dish that blends a silky cream sauce with robust garlic and tangy tomatoes, served over your choice of pasta. Perfect for busy nights or impressing guests, this recipe offers a versatile base that can be customized with proteins, veggies, or herbs for a wholesome, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 12 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Pasta: Cook your choice of pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to help loosen the sauce later if needed.
  2. Sauté the Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add freshly minced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant and golden but not burnt, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Simmer the Tomato Sauce: Pour in crushed tomatoes, stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and let it cook for 5 to 7 minutes to thicken slightly and develop intense flavor.
  4. Add the Cream: Lower the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream, combining it thoroughly with the tomato base to create a smooth, silky sauce. Let it simmer gently for another 3 minutes.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Transfer cooked pasta directly into the sauce and toss to coat every strand evenly. If the sauce seems thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency.
  6. Finish with Cheese and Basil: Remove from heat and fold in freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil leaves. Give it a final stir, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic, not powdered, for the most vibrant flavor.
  • Simmer tomatoes and cream slowly to avoid curdling the sauce.
  • Reserve some pasta water to loosen and bind the sauce to pasta perfectly.
  • Grate Parmesan cheese fresh for better melting and superior taste.
  • Cook pasta to al dente for a satisfying bite against the creamy sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic tomato pasta, creamy pasta, garlic pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy dinner, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/the-best-creamy-garlic-tomato-pasta/