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Creamy tomato pasta dish garnished with basil, ideal for a quick family dinner.

Creamy Tomato Pasta

A rich and satisfying creamy tomato pasta recipe that's perfect for weeknight dinners, combining fresh flavors and simple ingredients.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Base Ingredients
  • 12 ounces Pasta of choice (spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine) You can use whole wheat pasta or zucchini noodles for a healthier option.
  • 2 cups Fresh tomatoes (or canned San Marzano tomatoes) For best flavor, use ripe fresh tomatoes or high-quality canned tomatoes.
  • 1 medium Onion, chopped Red or yellow onions work well.
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced Adjust garlic to taste.
  • 1 cup Heavy cream For a vegan option, substitute with coconut milk or cashew cream.
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil, for sautéing
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, optional Nutritional yeast as a vegan alternative.
Garnish
  • 1 cup Fresh basil For garnish.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
Sautéing Onions and Garlic
  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. If using fresh tomatoes, chop them and then add to the skillet. If using canned, simply pour them in.
  2. Stir in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  3. Tip: If your sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.
Combining
  1. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serving
  1. Plate your creamy tomato pasta and garnish with fresh basil. For an extra touch, sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For freezing, portion out and freeze for up to three months.