Description
A comforting pasta dish featuring tender penne coated in a rich and silky tomato cream sauce made with garlic, cream, and parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
- Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Add crushed tomatoes and simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream until the sauce becomes smooth.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.
- Add reserved pasta water gradually if the sauce is too thick.
- Stir in parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped basil over the pasta before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan for the best melting and flavor.
- Pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli can substitute for penne.
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or mushrooms for extra protein.
- Do not boil the sauce after adding cream to maintain a smooth texture.
- Pasta water helps the sauce cling to the pasta and adjust consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
