Creamy Tomato Pasta Basil (Printable)
A rich tomato cream sauce tossed with pasta and fresh basil, perfect for easy, comforting meals.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz penne or spaghetti
→ Sauce
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1 tsp sugar
09 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
11 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Finish
12 - 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves, torn
13 - Extra Parmesan, for serving
# Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain well.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Pour in crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
04 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Cook 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until sauce is smooth and well combined.
05 - Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat completely, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
06 - Remove from heat. Fold in fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and additional basil garnish.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day
- That moment when the cream hits the tomatoes and everything turns into restaurant quality magic
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for the best work lunches youve ever had
02 -
- Temper the cream first by whisking a spoonful of hot sauce into it before adding to the pan, otherwise it might separate
- Stop adding pasta water before you think you need to. The sauce continues thickening as it stands.
03 -
- Use freshly grated Parmesan because pre grated has anti caking agents that prevent proper melting
- Let the pasta rest in the sauce for 2 minutes off heat. This allows the noodles to absorb all that creamy flavor.