Creamy Tomato Pasta

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

Pasta – 12 oz / 340 g

Olive oil – 2 tablespoons

Unsalted butter – 1 tablespoon

Yellow onion, finely chopped – 1 small

Garlic, minced – 3 cloves

Tomato paste – 2 tablespoons

Crushed tomatoes – 1 ½ cups

Heavy cream – 1 cup

Grated parmesan – ½ cup, plus extra

Dried oregano – ½ teaspoon

Dried basil – ½ teaspoon

Red pepper flakes – ¼ teaspoon (optional)

Salt and black pepper – to taste

Fresh basil, chopped – ¼ cup

Reserved pasta water – up to ½ cup

Instructions:

Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, reserving some pasta water, then drain. Sauté onion in oil and butter until soft, then add garlic briefly. Stir in tomato paste, cook briefly, then add crushed tomatoes, herbs, and seasonings; simmer. Lower heat, add cream and parmesan, stirring until smooth and slightly thick. Toss cooked pasta into the sauce, loosening with reserved pasta water as needed. Finish with fresh basil, adjust seasoning, and serve hot with extra parmesan and pepper.

Nutrition (Calories)Approx. 500–550 calories per serving. Best For: cozy weeknight dinners, meal-prep lunches, or simple entertaining. More: pair with salad and garlic bread to round out the meal.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 18

Total Time 28

Servings: 4

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Calories: 500

Notes

Pro Tip:
Stir the cheese into warm (not boiling) sauce and use hot pasta water to adjust consistency so it stays smooth, glossy, and never grainy.