Half-and-Half Creamy Tomato and Basil Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-18 · Updated 2026-06-18

A luscious pasta dish combining half heavy cream and half crushed tomatoes for a balanced, flavorful sauce with fresh basil. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1 cup crushed tomatoes and 1 cup heavy cream, stirring to combine. Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts and the sauce coats the pasta evenly.