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Simple Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce

Close-up of penne pasta tossed generously in a rich, orange-hued creamy tomato pasta sauce on a white plate.
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Make a rich, restaurant style creamy tomato pasta sauce at home using simple ingredients. This recipe provides the comfort food flavor you want in a quick dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, and basil. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let it cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. While the sauce simmers, cook 1 pound of your favorite pasta according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
  5. Stir the heavy cream into the tomato sauce. Let it heat through for 2 minutes.
  6. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
  7. Stir in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. If it is too thick, add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Toss the sauce with the drained pasta. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, roast the garlic before mincing and adding it to the sauce.
  • If you want a creamy tomato sauce without heavy cream, you can substitute it with full-fat coconut milk or a cashew cream made from soaked, blended cashews.
  • This sauce pairs well with shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/creamy-tomato-pasta-sauce-recipe/