Creamy Tomato-Basil Pasta with Crispy Garlic
A restaurant-worthy pasta with velvety tomato cream sauce, fresh basil, and aromatic garlic chips for irresistible texture contrast. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs fettuccine, (1 can), undrained diced tomatoes, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fettuccine
- 28 oz (1 can), undrained diced tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup, finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz fettuccine and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic slices and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and fragrant, then remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Step 3: Add diced tomatoes (with juice) to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 3 more minutes until sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Add drained pasta to sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Stir in 1/2 cup fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan; add reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time until sauce reaches desired consistency.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Tomato-Basil Pasta with Crispy Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Tomato-Basil Pasta with Crispy Garlic?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fettuccine from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Tomato-Basil Pasta with Crispy Garlic?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Tomato-Basil Pasta with Crispy Garlic for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Creamy Tomato-Basil Pasta with Crispy Garlic?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the Italian come through in every bite.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
