Description
This creamy tomato garlic pasta recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Featuring al dente spaghetti or fettuccine tossed in a fragrant sauce made from sautéed garlic, ripe tomatoes, and rich heavy cream, it’s garnished with fresh basil and optional Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
Sauce
- 1 cup ripe tomatoes (diced)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped)
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until it turns golden brown and releases its fragrance, making sure it does not burn.
- Add Tomatoes: Add the diced ripe tomatoes to the skillet along with salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and the flavors to merge beautifully.
- Incorporate Cream: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Mix well until the sauce becomes smooth, rich, and creamy in texture.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat all the noodles evenly with the creamy tomato garlic sauce.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately, then top it with freshly chopped basil and sprinkle optional grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor and freshness. Serve hot.
Notes
- Be careful not to burn the garlic during sautéing to avoid bitterness.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream substitute for a lighter or dairy-free version.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor in the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice umami boost.
- Reserve some pasta water if you want to loosen the sauce consistency.
- This dish pairs well with a simple side salad or garlic bread.
