Creamy Fresh Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe
A simple and delicious creamy fresh tomato garlic pasta made with al dente spaghetti, sautéed garlic, fresh tomatoes, rich heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, finished with fragrant fresh basil. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner with fresh, vibrant flavors and a luscious creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti or pasta of your choice
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb (450 g) fresh tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup (10 g) fresh basil leaves, chopped
Optional Garnish
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once heated, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add tomatoes: Add the chopped fresh tomatoes to the skillet with the garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the tomatoes start to break down and form a sauce, stirring occasionally.
- Make it creamy: Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream. Allow the mixture to simmer for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Incorporate cheese: Add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick. Stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves for freshness.
- Serve: Divide the creamy fresh tomato garlic pasta among serving plates. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use ripe, fresh tomatoes for the best flavor and natural sweetness in the sauce.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream, but the texture will be less rich.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps loosen the sauce and allows it to cling better to the pasta.
- You can add red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic for a spicy kick.
- Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Keywords: creamy tomato pasta, garlic pasta, fresh tomato sauce, easy Italian pasta, vegetarian pasta recipe
