Description
This Creamy Tomato Pasta is a comforting and rich dish combining tender penne pasta with a luscious tomato sauce enhanced by butter, garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. It’s quick to prepare, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, and garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked (1/2 pound)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium-high heat until bubbly and hot, about 1 minute. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to burn it.
- Prepare tomato sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and tomato paste, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add cream and cheese: Reduce the heat to low, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue cooking for about 3 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to ensure every piece is evenly coated in the creamy tomato sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the finely chopped fresh parsley on top before serving. Serve the pasta warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich and creamy.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- You can add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick if desired.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad and garlic bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
