Johnson's Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

A simple yet elegant pasta dish featuring sun-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, and a velvety cheese sauce. This Italian-American-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 28 oz can, undrained diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup, freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil; add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent browning.
3. Step 3: Stir in 28 oz undrained diced tomatoes and 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, simmering for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
4. Step 4: Add 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
5. Step 5: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, tossing vigorously for 1 minute until sauce coats every strand and reaches desired creaminess.