Creamy Tomato Pasta Fresh Basil (Printable)
Luscious pasta with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and velvety cream sauce ready in 30 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine
02 - Salt, for pasta water
→ Sauce
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
07 - 1 tsp sugar
08 - 2/3 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
11 - 1 large handful fresh basil leaves, torn
12 - Extra Parmesan, for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in crushed tomatoes and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavor.
04 - Lower heat and stir in the cream. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, then add Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Add cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
06 - Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and additional basil if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something from a proper Italian restaurant
- The cream balances the tomatoes perfectly so you get that restaurant quality texture without any fuss
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day, though good luck having any left
02 -
- Reserving pasta water is non negotiable—that starchy liquid is what binds your sauce to the pasta
- Don't let the cream boil furiously or it might separate, keep it to a gentle bubble
- The sauce will thicken as it stands off the heat, so serve immediately or have extra pasta water ready
03 -
- Grate your own Parmesan—pre shredded cheese has anti caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly
- Tear basil instead of cutting it to avoid bruising the delicate leaves