Description
This creamy tomato pasta recipe combines al dente pasta with a rich and flavorful tomato cream sauce made from tomato paste, tomato sauce, heavy cream, and Italian seasoning. It’s a quick and comforting meal ready in just 25 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners. Topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, this dish offers a perfect balance of tangy tomato flavor and smooth creaminess.
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
For Serving
- 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 the package instructions. This ensures the pasta retains some bite and doesn’t get mushy.
- Sauté Garlic: While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about one minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning and release its aroma.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, heavy cream, and Italian seasoning into the skillet. Mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Allow it to cook gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly and bubbles gently. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Season the Sauce: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper generously to taste. If the sauce tastes too acidic or tangy, incorporate a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the cooked pasta and toss it with the prepared sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of hot pasta water to loosen it up and help the sauce coat the pasta evenly.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately and garnish with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra richness and flavor.
Notes
- Use any type of pasta you prefer, but short pasta like penne or rigatoni works great to hold the creamy sauce.
- Adjust the cream quantity to make the sauce lighter or richer according to your preference.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use a vegan cheese alternative.
- Adding a pinch of sugar helps counteract the acidity of the tomato sauce if needed.
- Fresh basil or parsley can be added as a garnish for extra freshness.
