Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Tomato Pasta is pure comfort! Velvety sauce clings to fusilli bucati for a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner everyone will love.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Colander
- Skillet
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound fusilli bucati pasta
- 1 cup cooking water reserved from pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt plus more to season the sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 0.5 small yellow onion very finely diced, optional
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 6 ounces tomato paste 1 can
- 1.25 cups heavy cream
- 0.33 cup chicken stock or chicken broth
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan plus more for serving
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli bucati and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In the same pot (or a large skillet), heat the olive oil over medium heat. If using, add the finely diced onion and sauté for about 2-3 minutes, until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste to the pan, stirring it into the onions and garlic until well combined. Cook for about 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken stock, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth and heated through. If you like a bit of heat, sprinkle in the red pepper flakes at this stage.
- Add the cooked fusilli bucati to the sauce, along with the reserved pasta cooking water. Toss everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated in the creamy tomato sauce.
- Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt and integrate into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.
- Plate the creamy tomato pasta, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy your meal!
Notes
- If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency is reached.
- To thicken a watery sauce, simmer it a few extra minutes.
- For deeper flavor, sauté additional vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms with the onions.
- Adjust spice level by modifying the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of water or cream.