Nurse's Favorite Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting weeknight dinner featuring rich tomato basil sauce over al dente pasta with a hint of garlic and fresh herbs. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs pasta, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, add 12 oz pasta, and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add 4 minced garlic cloves, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 28 oz diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; simmer for 15 minutes until sauce thickens.
  4. Step 4: Add drained pasta to the skillet with 2 tbsp reserved pasta water, toss to coat, then fold in 1/2 cup fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until creamy and well combined.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Nurse's Favorite Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 Nurse's Favorite Creamy 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 pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Nurse's Favorite Creamy 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 Nurse's Favorite Creamy 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 Nurse's Favorite Creamy 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.

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