Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta (Printable)
A rich, comforting pasta with velvety tomato cream sauce, fresh basil, and garlic. Perfect for any meal.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
→ Sauce
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
09 - 1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Herbs & Garnish
11 - 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
12 - Additional grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large pot, bring generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add penne or fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Incorporate the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
03 - Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes. Stir in the salt, black pepper, and optional sugar to balance acidity. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat and continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
04 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Allow to gently simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce achieves a creamy consistency and slightly thickens.
05 - Add the drained cooked pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss thoroughly to ensure all pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually add small amounts of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is achieved.
06 - Remove the skillet from the heat. Gently fold in the fresh basil leaves until just wilted and fragrant.
07 - Dish out the creamy tomato basil pasta immediately. Garnish each serving with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It tastes like you spent hours on it, but it's ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for those busy evenings.
- The creamy texture and fresh basil really elevate simple ingredients into something truly special.
02 -
- Always reserve some pasta water! It's the best way to adjust your sauce's consistency and help it cling beautifully to the pasta.
- Don't rush the onion and garlic; taking a moment to properly sauté them creates a much deeper flavor foundation for the whole dish.
03 -
- For an even richer sauce, consider adding a splash of dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio) to the pan after the garlic, letting it reduce slightly before adding the tomatoes.
- If you're making this ahead of time, undercook the pasta by a minute or two, and when reheating, add a splash of water or broth to help loosen the sauce again.