Creamy Tomato Pasta with Garlic & Basil
Ingredients
- 1 poundpasta
- 3 tablespoonolive oil
- 6 clovesgarlic
- 28 ouncecanned crushed tomatoes
- ½ cupheavy cream
- ·salt
- ·black pepper
- ·fresh basil
- ½ cupparmesan cheese (freshly grated)
Prep
- 01
Mince 6 cloves garlic.
- 02
Roughly chop a handful of fresh basil.
- 03
Grate 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.
Method
- 01
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
- 02
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- 03
Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring often, for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- 04
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 05
Stir in the heavy cream and cook for 2 minutes more until the sauce is smooth and warm. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- 06
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss gently, adding pasta water a splash at a time if the sauce is too thick. Stir in the fresh basil.
- 07
Divide among bowls and top each serving generously with parmesan cheese.
Spice Tips
For a subtle warmth, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic as it cooks. A pinch of fresh oregano or a small splash of balsamic vinegar deepens the tomato flavor without adding heat.
The sauce comes together quickly, so have all ingredients prepped before you start cooking. For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream.