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Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe

4.8 from 60 reviews

A comforting and rich creamy tomato garlic pasta featuring tender penne or fettuccine tossed in a luscious garlic-infused tomato cream sauce, enhanced with Parmesan cheese and olive oil. Perfect for a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta

Sauce

  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (no added sugar)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain, reserving some cooking water for later use.
  2. Sauté garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant and golden brown, about 2 minutes, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Add tomatoes: Add the diced tomatoes with their juices to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the mixture to slightly thicken and concentrate in flavor.
  4. Incorporate cream: Reduce heat and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce bubble gently for 2 minutes to combine flavors and thicken.
  5. Add cheese and season: Mix in grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Combine pasta and sauce: Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat, adding some reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.
  7. Serve: Serve the creamy tomato garlic pasta hot, optionally garnished with additional Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Notes

  • For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream.
  • Use fresh Parmesan for best flavor; pre-grated cheese may result in a grainier texture.
  • Adjust garlic quantity based on your taste preference for a milder or stronger garlic presence.
  • Reserve pasta water to help emulsify and adjust sauce thickness as needed.
  • This dish pairs wonderfully with a side salad and crusty bread.

Keywords: creamy tomato garlic pasta, creamy pasta sauce, garlic pasta, Italian pasta recipe, penne pasta, fettuccine pasta, easy weeknight dinner