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+ servings
Delicious creamy tomato garlic pasta garnished with fresh herbs

Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta

A silky, garlic-forward tomato sauce folded with cream and Parmesan, ready in about 20 to 25 minutes, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 8 ounces pasta of choice (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli) Any shape works; tubular shapes hold the sauce nicely.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Use more if you love garlic.
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
  • 1 cup heavy cream For a lighter sauce use half-and-half plus 1 teaspoon of cornstarch to thicken.
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Plus extra for serving.
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Salt the water well.
  2. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, following package timing. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  3. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Cooking
  1. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to let it brown.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to reduce slightly and deepen the flavor.
  4. Stir in the heavy cream and Italian seasoning. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
  5. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it to coat in the sauce. Heat for 1 to 2 minutes until warmed through.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the Parmesan until melted, adding more reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with torn basil and extra Parmesan.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 15gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 400mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5g

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave. Can freeze sauce and pasta but texture may change.

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