Description
This creamy tomato pasta recipe is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that uses simple, everyday ingredients. The silky tomato sauce combines tomato paste, tomato sauce, and heavy cream for a rich, comforting flavor perfect for pasta lovers.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Pinch of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
To Serve
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. This ensures the pasta has a firm texture, perfect for tossing with the sauce.
- Sauté garlic: While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about one minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning and to release the garlic’s aromatic flavor.
- Make the tomato cream sauce: Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce, heavy cream, and Italian seasoning. Combine everything well until the sauce is smooth. Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and develop deeper flavors. Adjust heat so the sauce bubbles very gently.
- Season the sauce: Add salt and pepper generously to taste. If the sauce tastes too acidic or tangy, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Drain the pasta, reserving a splash of pasta water if needed. Toss the pasta with the sauce in the skillet, adding hot pasta water a little at a time if the sauce thickens too much, to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Serve: Plate the creamy tomato pasta and top generously with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Use heavy cream or whipping cream for the richest, creamiest sauce.
- Adjust the seasoning to your preference, adding more Italian seasoning or garlic if desired.
- Adding a small pinch of sugar can help reduce tomato acidity and balance the sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick when mixing.
- Serve with extra parmesan cheese or fresh basil for garnish if desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
