Description
Creamy Tomato Pasta is an easy and quick dinner idea for busy nights because it uses simple pantry ingredients and turns them into the best cozy bowl with a silky tomato cream sauce. It feels healthy with tomatoes and basil while still tasting rich and comforting for weeknight dinner and meal prep and potluck ideas. Serve it fresh with parmesan and enjoy a simple pasta that feels special without extra work.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 small finely diced Yellow onion
- 4 minced Garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 can 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
- 3/4 cup Heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon optional Red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon or to taste Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1/4 cup torn Fresh basil
- 1/2 cup reserved Pasta water
Instructions
- The pasta changes from firm pale tubes into plump tender penne with a soft yellow color. A little starchy water is kept aside so the sauce can later turn glossy and cling to the pasta instead of sitting separately.
- The diced onion turns translucent and the garlic becomes fragrant with small golden edges. The pieces shift from sharp raw cubes into soft glossy bits that form the first savory layer of the sauce.
- The tomato paste darkens from bright red to a deeper brick red as it blends with the softened onion and garlic. The mixture becomes thicker and slightly sticky with streaks of paste clinging unevenly through the aromatics.
- The crushed tomatoes spread through the toasted paste and turn the mixture into a chunky red sauce. Small bubbles appear and the sauce thickens around the edges with uneven tomato pieces still visible.
- The red sauce changes into a creamy orange red sauce as the cream swirls through the tomatoes. Parmesan melts unevenly into the sauce and creates a glossy thicker texture with soft pale streaks before fully blending.
- The cooked penne moves from plain pasta into glossy coated pasta as the sauce wraps around each piece. Some pieces sit more heavily coated than others and a little sauce gathers between the tubes for a homemade look.
- The finished pasta is served as one portion with glossy sauce and soft melted cheese clinging to the ridges. Torn basil and extra parmesan sit unevenly on top with natural non uniform color and a small amount of sauce pooling near the pasta.
Notes
Pro Tips:
- Use freshly grated parmesan because pre shredded cheese may stay grainy and will not melt as smoothly into the sauce.
- Save more pasta water than you think because a splash can loosen thick sauce without making it taste watery.
- Let the tomato paste darken before adding tomatoes because it gives the sauce a deeper slow cooked flavor.
- Tear basil by hand at the end because chopped basil can bruise quickly and lose its fresh green aroma.
Storage: Store leftover Creamy Tomato Pasta in an airtight container once it has cooled slightly so extra steam does not make the pasta too soft. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and add a splash of milk or reserved pasta water when reheating to bring back the creamy texture. Warm it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave and stir halfway through so the sauce heats evenly around the pasta. Freezing is possible but the cream sauce may separate slightly after thawing so it is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian American