Pasta with Tomato-Basil Cream

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-17 · Updated 2026-04-17

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs pasta, fresh basil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 490 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 490 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz penne pasta
1/2 cup, packed fresh basil
3 cloves, minced garlic
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 can (14 oz), drained diced tomatoes
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne and cook 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Stir in 1 can drained diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 cup packed basil, simmering 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Add drained pasta and 2 tbsp reserved pasta water, tossing until coated. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan until melted.