Description

The Best Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta – Your New Weeknight Hero

Hey friends! This is your go-to recipe for a quick, cozy, and ultra-flavorful pasta dinner. Creamy, garlicky, and tomato-forward, it’s simple enough for a weeknight yet impressive enough for a casual date night. Ready in under 30 minutes, this pasta is comfort food magic.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta & Base

8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your favorite shape)
1 tbsp olive oil

Garlic & Tomato Sauce

4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5 oz) can crushed or diced tomatoes (fire-roasted for extra flavor)
½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter, coconut cream for dairy-free)
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt & black pepper, to taste

Optional Garnishes

Red pepper flakes for heat
Fresh basil ribbons for color and freshness
Baby spinach for a veggie boost

Chef Insights:

Don’t overcook the pasta—al dente is perfect because it continues cooking in the sauce.
Toast garlic until fragrant, not brown, to avoid bitterness.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly and adds better flavor than pre-grated.

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Pro tip: Reserve ½ cup of starchy pasta water before draining—it helps the sauce cling beautifully. Drain and set aside.

2. Sauté the Garlic

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Keep a close eye—it should smell sweet, not burnt.

3. Build the Sauce

Add canned tomatoes to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and simmer 5 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate flavors.

4. Make it Creamy

Lower the heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until the sauce is uniform and smooth. Simmer 2–3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. Avoid high heat to prevent curdling.

5. Combine Pasta & Sauce

Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time for a glossy, perfect consistency. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

6. Finish & Serve

Remove from heat. Stir in optional spinach or basil. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.

Notes

Lower the heat before adding cream to avoid curdling.
Adjust spice to your mood—red pepper flakes are your friend!
This recipe is forgiving and flexible; make it your own.

Nutrition

Calories: 420 cal Per Serving
Sugar: 6g
Fat: 20g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Protein: 12g