Description
A rich and creamy pasta dish with tomato garlic sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (rigatoni, penne, or shells)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tomato sauce and simmer 3–4 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently until thickened.
- Add mozzarella and Parmesan, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Toss cooked pasta into the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed for a silky texture. Garnish with fresh herbs and extra cheese.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for best flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes for desired spiciness.
- Fresh herbs add brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: creamy tomato garlic pasta, creamy pasta recipe, garlic tomato sauce pasta, cheesy pasta dinner, easy weeknight pasta, comfort food pasta