
Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
A comforting and vibrant pasta dish featuring a rich, creamy tomato sauce infused with fresh basil. It's quick to prepare and perfect for a weeknight meal, bringing a taste of Italy to your table.
Ingredients
- •12 oz Fettuccine or Spaghetti (or pasta of choice)
- •2 tbsp Olive Oil
- •4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- •28 oz Canned Crushed Tomatoes
- •1 cup Heavy Cream
- •1 cup Fresh Basil Leaves (chopped, plus extra for garnish)
- •1 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated, plus extra for serving)
- •1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- •to taste Salt
- •to taste Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- •1 cup Pasta Water (reserved)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- 3
Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and flavors to meld. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- 4
Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream and chopped fresh basil. Mix well until combined and heated through, about 1-2 minutes.
- 5
Add the cooked, drained pasta directly to the sauce in the skillet. Toss to coat evenly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and a splash or two of the reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick, to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- 6
Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Chef's Tips
- 💡Always reserve some pasta water! It's a chef's secret for emulsifying sauces and helping them cling beautifully to the pasta.
- 💡For an extra layer of flavor, you can sauté 1/2 a finely diced onion or shallot with the garlic in step 2.
- 💡Feel free to add grilled chicken or shrimp at the end for a more substantial meal.
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