Creamy Tomato Pasta Dinner (Printable)

Rich tomato sauce, cream, garlic, and herbs tossed with pasta for an easy Italian-inspired dinner.

# What's Needed:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces penne or fusilli pasta

→ Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

14 - Fresh basil leaves, torn
15 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, allowing the aroma to develop.
04 - Incorporate crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried oregano, dried basil, and chili flakes if desired. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.
05 - Reduce heat to low, add heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
06 - Add drained pasta to sauce, tossing gently to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
07 - Transfer to plates and top with torn fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • Relies on pantry staples you probably have in your kitchen
  • Takes only 30 minutes from start to finish
  • Vegetarian friendly and easily adapted for vegan or gluten free diets
  • Rich creamy tomato flavor with each bite
02 -
  • High in fiber thanks to tomato and pasta
  • Can be made gluten free or dairy free
  • Ideal for batch cooking and freezing
  • Nutritious enough for a main dish but also suits lunch portions
03 -
  • Save the pasta water for true Italian-style sauce that clings perfectly
  • You can toast the dried herbs in the olive oil for thirty seconds before adding onions to extract even more flavor
  • For extra richness let the sauce simmer a minute or two longer after adding the cream

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