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Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta

Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta

This creamy garlic tomato pasta blends the richness of Parmesan and cream with the comforting aroma of sautéed garlic and tomatoes — a versatile recipe perfect for weeknights or elegant holiday dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz elbow pasta or rigatoni
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 handful fresh basil, chopped
  • to taste salt and black pepper
  • optional red chili flakes
  • optional 1/2 lb ground beef

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • large skillet
  • wooden spoon
  • knife and chopping board

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until golden and fragrant.
  3. Add crushed tomatoes to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
  5. Toss the drained pasta into the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
  6. If using ground beef, brown it separately and mix into the sauce before adding pasta.
  7. Finish with chopped basil and serve hot. Garnish with extra Parmesan or cherry tomatoes if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 15gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 950IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For a festive twist, add roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh parsley. To lighten the dish, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half. Add ground beef for a protein-packed variation. Always save pasta water to achieve a silky sauce.

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