Description
This Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta is a rich and comforting Italian-American dish featuring tender pasta coated in a luscious sauce made from crushed tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and creamy Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, it combines bold flavors with simple ingredients to create a satisfying vegetarian main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine or spaghetti
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, which helps develop a rich garlic flavor in the sauce.
- Add Tomatoes and Herbs: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes so the flavors can blend together and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Incorporate Cream and Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer for another 3 to 5 minutes until it becomes creamy and thickened, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Season and Combine: Taste the sauce and season with salt and black pepper as desired. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat every strand with the creamy tomato sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if preferred for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version of the sauce.
- Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or sautéed mushrooms for extra protein and variation.
