Description
Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta is a quick, cozy dinner that tastes like a restaurant dish but uses simple ingredients. Fresh garlic and ripe tomatoes simmer into a bright sauce, then heavy cream makes it silky and rich. Finished with basil, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or a low-effort impressive meal.
Ingredients
8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti or fettuccine until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté about 30 seconds until fragrant (do not brown).
3. Add chopped tomatoes. Cook 3–5 minutes, stirring, until softened and juicy.
4. Pour in heavy cream and stir. Simmer 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
6. Remove from heat, toss in fresh basil, and serve warm.
Notes
For a lighter sauce, swap heavy cream for half-and-half.
Want heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
Add-ins: grilled chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, or spinach.
Reheat gently with a splash of milk or water to keep it creamy.
Cream sauces don’t freeze well (they can separate).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 85mg