Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe
A rich and creamy tomato garlic pasta featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a luscious sauce made from fresh tomatoes, garlic, and heavy cream, enhanced with fragrant basil for a deliciously comforting meal.
- Author: Rita
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
Sauce
- 1 cup ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot, then cook the spaghetti or fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté until golden brown and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it.
- Add tomatoes: Stir in the diced ripe tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and tomatoes to soften.
- Incorporate cream: Lower the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream until the sauce is smooth and well blended, creating a rich and creamy consistency.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat each strand evenly with the creamy tomato garlic sauce.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with freshly chopped basil. Optionally, top with grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative.
- To add a spicy kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor; dried basil can be substituted but reduce quantity as it’s more concentrated.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a savory depth to the dish.
- Make sure to not overcook the pasta; al dente texture pairs best with the creamy sauce.
Keywords: creamy tomato garlic pasta, spaghetti recipe, easy pasta sauce, garlic tomato cream sauce, Italian pasta dish