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A bowl of creamy tomato basil pasta, garnished with fresh basil and grated cheese.

Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

This creamy tomato basil pasta is a quick and comforting meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It uses simple ingredients to create a rich and flavorful sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Sauce Simmer Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta
For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream or whipping cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
For Serving
  • to taste freshly grated parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • skillet

Method
 

  1. Boil a large, salted pot of water for your pasta and cook it al dente according to package instructions.
  2. Meanwhile, add the butter to a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it melts, add the garlic and sauté for about a minute, stirring constantly.
  3. Add in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, cream, and Italian seasoning. Stir until smooth. Let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly and is gently bubbling. Adjust heat as needed.
  4. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to your preference. If the sauce tastes too acidic, add a pinch of sugar.
  5. Drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of hot pasta water. Serve immediately with parmesan cheese.

Notes

This recipe is easily adaptable. You can add cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein, or a handful of fresh basil at the end for a brighter flavor.

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