Go Back
Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta coated in velvety pink sauce

Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

This Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta is warm, silky, and deeply comforting—perfect for busy days when you need a bowl of something soothing and delicious. With garlic, bursting cherry tomatoes, cream, parmesan, and fresh basil, it’s a cozy one-pot meal that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Course: Dinner, Main Course, One-Pot
Cuisine: Italian Inspired
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • penne pasta or any short pasta shape
  • olive oil
  • butter
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • cherry tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes
  • tomato paste
  • heavy cream
  • freshly grated parmesan
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup pasta water reserved for sauce

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Pot

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until they burst, releasing their juices.
  2. Add tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
  3. Lower heat and slowly pour in heavy cream. Stir until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Simmer gently—do not boil.
  4. Add cooked pasta and 1/2 cup pasta water. Stir until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta beautifully.
  5. Turn off heat. Add grated parmesan and freshly torn basil leaves, mixing until the sauce becomes silky and fragrant.
  6. Serve hot with extra basil, parmesan, and black pepper.

Notes

For extra creaminess, stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end. For a dairy-free version, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.