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Garlicky Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce

Close-up of rigatoni pasta coated in a rich tomato cream sauce, garnished with fresh basil, part of the Garlicky Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce recipe.
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Make a rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring a creamy tomato sauce infused heavily with garlic. This recipe is quick enough for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (e.g., penne, rigatoni)
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
  3. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes to the oil. Cook slowly for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring often, until the garlic is fragrant and light golden brown. Do not let the garlic burn.
  4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream until the sauce turns a uniform pink or blush color.
  6. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the sauce to help it emulsify and thicken slightly. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  7. Add the drained pasta and the Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce. Add more pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, if the sauce seems too thick.
  8. Stir in the fresh basil. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For an even stronger garlic flavor, gently sauté 2 whole, peeled garlic cloves in the oil first, then remove them before adding the sliced garlic.
  • Use high-quality crushed tomatoes for the best sauce flavor.
  • If you prefer a less intense garlic flavor, reduce the amount to 6 cloves.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerykings.com/garlicky-pasta-with-tomato-cream-sauce/