🍝 Quick Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe

This recipe is generally fast and only requires a few key ingredients.

📝 Ingredients

• 12 oz (about ¹$340 \text{g}$) Pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your favorite shape)²
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil or Butter³
• 1/2 Onion, finely diced (optional)⁴
• 3-4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 3 Tbsp Tomato Paste⁵
• 1 (14-15 oz) (about ⁶$400 \text{g}$) can Tomato Sauce or Crushed Tomatoes⁷
• 1/2 – 1 cup Heavy Cream (adjust to your preference)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated, plus more for garnish⁸
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Fresh Basil or Parsley, chopped (for garnish)⁹

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until it is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Before draining, scoop out about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta.
2. Sauté Aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat.¹⁰ Add the diced onion (if using) and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.¹¹ Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Build the Tomato Base: Stir in the tomato paste and cook it for 1-2 minutes. This step, called caramelization, deepens the tomato flavor. Then, pour in the canned tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and a pinch of sugar if the tomatoes taste too acidic. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes to let the flavors blend.
4. Make it Creamy: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and the grated Parmesan cheese until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and a lovely pink color.
5. Combine: Add the cooked, drained pasta directly into the sauce. Toss well to coat every noodle. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, 1-2 tablespoons at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
6. Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped basil or parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy your delicious, comforting meal!