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Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce with Garlic and Basil Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 57 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 17 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Pasta Sauce
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A creamy and flavorful tomato pasta sauce made with tomato passata, cream cheese, and parmesan, perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta. This quick and easy stovetop recipe combines sautéed garlic and onions with a hint of chili flakes, enriched by creamy cheese for a comforting meal in minutes.

Ingredients

Pasta and Sauce

  • 8 oz (225 grams) Pasta (long or short pasta will work)
  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
  • 2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ brown or white onion, finely diced
  • ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
  • ¾ cup (200 ml) tomato passata (tomato puree)
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil)
  • ½ cup (120 grams) cream cheese (Philadelphia recommended)
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt, or to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to serve

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining to use in the sauce.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter or heat olive oil. Add minced garlic, diced onion, and chili flakes if using. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  3. Simmer Sauce: Add the tomato passata and dried or fresh basil to the skillet. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
  4. Add Cheeses and Pasta Water: Stir in the cream cheese, freshly grated parmesan, and about ¼ cup reserved pasta water to make a creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss until it is evenly coated with the creamy tomato sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan if desired.

Notes

  • Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta.
  • Chili flakes add a subtle heat; omit for a milder sauce.
  • Fresh basil can be substituted for dried basil for a brighter herbal note.
  • Parmesan cheese can be replaced with Pecorino Romano for a stronger flavor.
  • If cream cheese is not available, mascarpone or ricotta can be used as alternatives for creaminess.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/creamy-tomato-pasta-sauce-with-garlic-and-basil-recipe/