Popular Creamy Tomato Pasta with Basil
A widely loved Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring a smooth tomato cream sauce enriched with fresh basil and parmesan cheese, perfect for a comforting dinner. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 cloves
- 1 can (14 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- 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, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
- Step 3: Add 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, cooking for 2 minutes until the sauce is creamy and heated through.
- Step 5: Toss the drained pasta into the sauce along with 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Stir vigorously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce coats every piece of pasta smoothly. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Popular Creamy Tomato Pasta with Basil take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Popular Creamy Tomato Pasta with Basil?
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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Popular Creamy Tomato Pasta with Basil?
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 Popular Creamy Tomato Pasta with Basil 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 Popular Creamy Tomato Pasta with Basil?
Italian pasta 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.
