Half-Cream Tomato Basil Pasta
A silky pasta dish with a balanced sauce made from equal parts creamy and tangy tomato elements, finished with fresh herbs. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, heavy cream, diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh basil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain while reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, then add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup diced tomatoes and 1/2 cup heavy cream, simmering gently for 3 minutes until slightly thickened and the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly while adding reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce emulsifies and becomes glossy.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Cream Tomato Basil Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Half-Cream Tomato Basil Pasta?
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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Cream Tomato Basil Pasta?
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 Half-Cream Tomato Basil Pasta 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 Half-Cream Tomato Basil Pasta?
Italian one pot 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
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
