Creamy Tomato and Basil Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-08 · Updated 2026-07-08

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 quick and comforting pasta dish using half a cup of tomato sauce combined with cream and fresh basil for a luscious finish. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs penne pasta, tomato sauce, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 3, 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: 5 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 oz penne pasta
½ cup tomato sauce
½ cup heavy cream
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
10 leaves, chopped fresh basil leaves
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 8 oz penne pasta. Cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Stir in ½ cup tomato sauce and ½ cup heavy cream, simmering gently for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
Step 4: Add 10 chopped fresh basil leaves, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, and ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (if using) to the sauce. Stir to combine.
Step 5: Toss the drained pasta into the skillet along with ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese and ¼ to ½ cup reserved pasta water, stirring well to coat evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce clings to the pasta and is silky.