Description
This One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta is a quick and delicious meal, perfect for busy weeknights. Made entirely in a single skillet, it combines tender pasta with a flavorful tomato sauce enriched with cream, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic herbs. The dish is garnished with fresh basil for a burst of freshness, delivering a comforting and satisfying experience with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Warm a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the ingredients.
- Add olive oil: Pour in the olive oil and let it heat for about a minute to ensure it’s hot enough for cooking the onion.
- Sauté onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add garlic: Introduce the minced garlic into the skillet and sauté for 1 minute, taking care to prevent it from burning.
- Incorporate diced tomatoes: Pour in the canned diced tomatoes along with their juice, stirring to combine evenly with the sautéed aromatics.
- Season with herbs and spices: Sprinkle dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes into the mixture, stirring to blend the flavors.
- Season with salt and pepper: Add salt and black pepper to taste for balanced seasoning.
- Add vegetable broth and simmer: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Add pasta: Submerge the pasta in the simmering sauce, stirring to coat it and ensure even cooking.
- Cook pasta covered: Cover the skillet and cook the pasta for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat to maintain a simmer, until the pasta is al dente.
- Stir in heavy cream: After pasta is cooked, stir the heavy cream into the sauce and let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to slightly thicken.
- Remove from heat: Take the skillet off the heat source to proceed with finishing touches.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan until fully melted and incorporated into the creamy sauce.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the sauce and add extra salt or black pepper if needed for flavor balance.
- Garnish: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves on top for a fresh, aromatic finish.
- Serve: Dish out the creamy tomato pasta hot and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors.
Notes
- Stir occasionally during pasta cooking to prevent sticking.
- Use gluten-free pasta if gluten intolerance is a concern.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with light cream for a lighter version.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of broth or cream.
