Description
Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta is the ultimate summer comfort dish — quick, refreshing, and packed with fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a luxurious cream sauce. Perfect for sunny lunches or elegant dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pasta (Spaghetti or Penne)
- Olive Oil (or avocado oil for a lighter option)
- Fresh Tomatoes (Roma or vine-ripened)
- Heavy Cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- 3–4 Garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh Basil leaves
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for dairy-free)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Add diced tomatoes and cook 5–7 minutes until softened and juicy. Optional: add a splash of balsamic vinegar.
- Stir in heavy cream and let simmer 3–4 minutes on low heat until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan to the sauce. Stir until cheese is melted and incorporated.
- Add pasta to skillet and toss with sauce. Use reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce. Toss over medium heat for 1–2 minutes and serve.
Notes
Grate Parmesan fresh for best texture. Avoid overheating the sauce. Add sautéed veggies or grilled chicken for a protein-rich variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 80g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: creamy tomato basil pasta, summer pasta, vegetarian pasta, quick dinner, pasta recipe