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Easy One Pot Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta for a Quick Weeknight Dinner

A close-up of a white bowl filled with rich, orange-red creamy tomato pasta made with rigatoni noodles.
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Whip up this irresistible creamy tomato pasta in under 30 minutes! This recipe combines rich tomato sauce, fresh cream, and al dente pasta for a comforting meal everyone will love. It is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a flavorful, satisfying meal without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (like penne or rigatoni)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions, but drain it about 2 minutes before it reaches al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant; do not let it brown.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Add the broth and the partially cooked pasta directly to the sauce in the pot. Stir to combine.
  5. Continue cooking the pasta in the sauce, stirring frequently, until the pasta is cooked through (al dente). Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce becomes too thick.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and velvety.
  7. Season generously with salt and black pepper to your taste.
  8. Stir in the fresh chopped basil just before serving. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For an even richer flavor, use roasted garlic instead of fresh minced garlic.
  • If you want to add protein, cook chicken breast or shrimp separately and toss them in at the end.
  • This recipe is fantastic for a budget friendly creamy pasta option using pantry staples.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/creamy-tomato-pasta-recipe-easy-30-min/