Luscious Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta

$To make creamy garlic tomato pasta, you need key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need: - 300g spaghetti or your favorite pasta - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - 4 cloves of garlic, finely minced - 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes with juices - 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Feel free to customize your dish using optional ingredients. Here are some ideas to consider: - Fresh spinach for added greens - Red pepper flakes for a spicy kick - Chopped onions for extra flavor - Mushrooms for an earthy taste Garnish your pasta to make it look and taste even better. Try these toppings: - Fresh basil leaves for a pop of color - Grated Parmesan cheese for rich flavor - Toasted pine nuts for crunch - A drizzle of balsamic glaze for sweetness These ingredients help you create a creamy, flavorful dish that feels special. You can mix and match to fit your taste. Enjoy making your version of creamy garlic tomato pasta! {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by boiling salted water in a large pot. Once it boils, add 300g of spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Cook it according to the package directions until it is al dente. This means it should still have a slight bite. After cooking, reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water. Then, drain the pasta and set it aside. This water helps to thicken the sauce later. In the same pot, add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Give it a minute to warm up. Next, add 4 cloves of finely minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until it smells good and turns golden. Be careful not to let it burn. Burnt garlic can ruin the dish. Now, pour in 1 can of diced tomatoes, including their juices. Add 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Stir everything well to mix. Let it simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes. This helps the flavors blend nicely. After that, lower the heat and stir in 1 cup of heavy cream or coconut cream if you prefer. Mix it well and let it cook for another 5 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to make it creamier. Season it with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Finally, toss the drained pasta into the sauce. Stir gently to coat each piece of pasta evenly with the creamy tomato sauce. To get that perfect creamy texture, use heavy cream or coconut cream. Both work well. If you want a lighter sauce, add some reserved pasta water little by little. This helps blend the sauce. Stir well to mix everything together. Taste as you go. Adjust the creaminess to your liking. One mistake is burning the garlic. Keep an eye on it while sautéing. If it turns brown, it may taste bitter. Another common error is not draining the pasta properly. If you leave too much water, it can make the sauce runny. Lastly, don’t skip the sugar! It balances the acidity of the tomatoes. For an elegant look, use fresh basil leaves as a garnish. They add color and flavor. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese is a nice touch. Serve the pasta in shallow bowls for a fancy feel. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil on top. This makes it look even more delicious! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and high-quality tomatoes can elevate the flavor of your pasta dish significantly. Opt for fresh basil for garnishing to enhance the aroma and taste. Perfect Pasta Cooking: Remember to salt your pasta water generously; it should taste like the sea! This is your only chance to season the pasta itself, which enhances the entire dish's flavor. Customize Your Creaminess: Adjust the consistency of your sauce by adding the reserved pasta water gradually. This starchy water helps to bind the sauce to the pasta and creates a silky texture. Make It Your Own: Feel free to add other ingredients such as sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or grilled chicken for added flavor and nutrition. Experiment with different herbs to find your personal favorite blend! {{image_4}} You can easily make this dish vegetarian or vegan. For a vegetarian version, use heavy cream. To make it vegan, swap it for coconut cream. You can also add more veggies. Spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers work well. Just sauté them with the garlic. This adds color and nutrition. Adding protein can turn this dish into a full meal. Chicken or shrimp are great choices. For chicken, use bite-sized pieces. Cook them in the olive oil before adding garlic. For shrimp, add them after the garlic. Cook until they turn pink. This boosts flavor and gives a hearty touch. You can enhance the taste with more spices and herbs. Try red pepper flakes for a kick. Fresh herbs like parsley or oregano can add depth. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens the sauce. Experiment with flavors to find what you love best. This dish is flexible and fun to customize! Store any leftover creamy garlic tomato pasta in an airtight container. Make sure to cool it first. This helps keep the pasta fresh. It stays good in the fridge for up to three days. When you are ready to eat it, check for any signs of spoilage before reheating. If you want to keep the pasta longer, freezing works well. Place the cooled pasta in a freezer-safe container. Make sure to leave some space for expansion. You can freeze it for up to three months. Label the container with the date, so you remember when you made it. When you are ready to enjoy your pasta again, use gentle heat. You can reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. If it seems dry, add a splash of water or cream. This helps keep it creamy and delicious. Stir well to mix in the moisture. Enjoy your flavorful dish like it was freshly made! Yes, you can use any pasta shape you like. Options include penne, fusilli, or even gluten-free pasta. Each type will bring its own charm to the dish. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions. You want it to be al dente, firm but cooked through. To make this dish dairy-free, simply swap heavy cream with coconut cream. It will add a nice richness without any dairy. You can also use almond milk or cashew cream, but coconut cream gives the best flavor. This change keeps the dish creamy and smooth. If you don’t have heavy cream, there are many options. Use half-and-half for a lighter cream. You can also use plain yogurt for tanginess. Silken tofu blended until smooth is a great vegan choice. Each substitute will change the flavor a bit, but they all work well in this recipe. This blog post covers all you need for creamy garlic tomato pasta. We explored key ingredients and easy instructions to make cooking simple. You learned helpful tips to avoid mistakes and make your dish shine. Plus, I shared fun variations to match your taste. In the end, this pasta is tasty and easy to customize. You'll impress everyone at dinner. Enjoy cooking and savor every bite of your creation!$

Luscious Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta

A rich and creamy pasta dish with garlic and tomatoes, perfect for a comforting meal.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Ingredients

300 g spaghetti or your preferred pasta
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 can (400g) diced tomatoes with juices
1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
for garnish Fresh basil leaves
for serving Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti (or your chosen pasta) and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water for later use, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In the same pot, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant and golden, ensuring not to let it burn for the best flavor.
Carefully pour the canned diced tomatoes (including their juices) into the pot. Add the granulated sugar and Italian seasoning. Stir thoroughly to combine all the ingredients. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer for about 5 to 7 minutes so the flavors can meld beautifully.
Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream (or coconut cream for a dairy-free result). Mix well and let the sauce cook gently for an additional 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. Adjust the consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water until you achieve your desired creaminess.
Taste the sauce and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Add the drained pasta to the sauce, and toss gently to coat each strand of pasta in the creamy tomato sauce, ensuring an even distribution.
Serve this delectable pasta dish hot, garnished with a generous handful of fresh basil leaves. Optionally, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor and richness.

Notes

For a dairy-free option, use coconut cream.

Keyword creamy, dinner, garlic, pasta, tomato