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Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe

4.5 from 90 reviews

Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring al dente pasta tossed in a rich, garlicky tomato cream sauce. This easy-to-make recipe combines sautéed garlic, diced tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese to create a luscious sauce that coats every strand of pasta for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

pasta

  • 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta

sauce

  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (no added sugar)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. This ensures that the pasta has a firm texture that holds up well when mixed with the sauce.
  2. Sauté Garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and golden brown, about 2 minutes. This step infuses the oil with garlic flavor, forming the base of the sauce.
  3. Add Tomatoes: Add the diced tomatoes along with their juices to the skillet. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes so the tomatoes reduce slightly and the flavors concentrate.
  4. Incorporate Cream: Reduce the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce bubble gently for about 2 minutes to combine and thicken slightly for a creamy texture.
  5. Add Cheese and Season: Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully integrated into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste to enhance the overall flavor.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the cooked pasta, reserving some of the pasta cooking water. Toss the pasta with the sauce in the skillet, adding reserved pasta water if necessary to adjust the sauce consistency and ensure it coats the pasta evenly.
  7. Serve: Serve the creamy tomato garlic pasta hot, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese for an added cheesy finish.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting quality.
  • Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
  • If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
  • This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or garlic bread.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream alternative.

Keywords: tomato garlic pasta, creamy pasta recipe, easy pasta sauce, Italian pasta, penne pasta, fettuccine, homemade pasta sauce