Description
Experience the comforting delight of Creamy Tomato Pasta, a fresh and homemade Italian-inspired dish featuring tender pasta enveloped in a luscious tomato and cream sauce, infused with aromatic garlic and onions, and garnished with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 250 grams Pasta (penne or fettuccine)
For the Sauce
- 500 grams Fresh Tomatoes (chopped or blended)
- 200 ml Heavy Cream
- 3-4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
For Garnish
- Handful Fresh Basil (chopped)
- Parmesan Cheese (grated, optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta type. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency later.
- Sauté Onions: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Sauté the finely chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant, forming the flavor base for the sauce.
- Add Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional minute until aromatic, taking care not to burn it.
- Cook Tomatoes: Add chopped tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing them to break down and release their juices, creating a fresh tomato base.
- Add Heavy Cream: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream slowly. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes to thicken and blend flavors.
- Season Sauce: Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. If the sauce seems too thick, add some reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with the sauce, stirring well to coat. Cook together for an additional 2-3 minutes to marry the flavors fully.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in fresh chopped basil just before serving for a burst of herbaceous freshness. Plate the pasta and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor in the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness and help it cling to pasta.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream alternative.
- Parmesan is optional but adds lovely umami depth.
- Fresh basil enhances the aroma; you can substitute with dried basil if fresh is unavailable, but add it earlier to the sauce.
