Congress Park Tomato Basil Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A simple yet elegant pasta dish featuring sun-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic, finished with a hint of cream for a Denver-inspired comfort meal. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs pasta, heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, core tomatoes and cut into 1/2-inch dice. Mince garlic and finely chop 1/4 cup basil. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add tomatoes to skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down and reduce to a thick sauce. Stir in remaining 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup basil, salt, and pepper; simmer for 2 more minutes until sauce is vibrant and slightly thickened.
  4. Step 4: Add drained pasta to skillet with sauce, tossing well to coat. Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream and cook for 2 minutes until cream is warmed through and sauce coats pasta. Add reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time until desired consistency is reached. Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, and serve immediately.

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