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- 12 ounces penne pasta - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat) - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish If you need swaps, here are some good options: - For penne pasta, use any pasta shape you like, such as fusilli or rotini. - Instead of heavy cream, you can use half-and-half or a plant-based cream. - If you don’t have fresh basil, use dried basil. Use one-third the amount since dried is stronger. - For Parmesan cheese, try Pecorino Romano or a dairy-free cheese option. Each serving of Creamy Tomato Basil Penne has: - Calories: 550 - Protein: 15g - Carbohydrates: 54g - Fat: 30g - Saturated Fat: 16g - Fiber: 2g - Sugar: 3g - Sodium: 400mg This dish is creamy and rich, making it a tasty choice for dinner. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by boiling a big pot of salted water. This adds flavor to the pasta. Once the water is boiling, add 12 ounces of penne pasta. Cook it until it is al dente. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes. Save 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the rest. Set the pasta aside for later. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add 4 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until it smells nice. Then, pour in one 14-ounce can of crushed tomatoes. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. This helps the flavors mix. After simmering, lower the heat. Carefully stir in 1 cup of heavy cream. Mix it well until it looks creamy. Add 1 cup of chopped fresh basil leaves. If you want a kick, add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Mix everything to spread the flavors evenly. Now it's time to combine the pasta and sauce. Gradually add the cooked penne to the skillet. Toss the pasta to coat it well in the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, use some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes even creamier. Finally, taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve the pasta warm. Garnish with extra fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan on top. Enjoy your delicious meal! To make the sauce super creamy, use heavy cream. This thickens the sauce nicely. Start by adding it after you cook the garlic and tomatoes. Stir gently to mix it well. If it seems too thick, add some reserved pasta water. This keeps it smooth and rich. I love using penne for this dish. Its tube shape holds the sauce well. You can also try rigatoni or ziti if you want a change. Both types work nicely and keep the flavors in every bite. To boost the flavor, add fresh basil right before serving. This gives a bright taste. You can also sprinkle in red pepper flakes for some heat. Taste the sauce as you cook; adjust salt and pepper to suit your liking. A little grated Parmesan at the end adds depth and richness too. Pro Tips Use Fresh Basil: Fresh basil adds a vibrant flavor to the dish. Add it at the end of cooking to preserve its aromatic qualities. Adjust Creaminess: To make the sauce lighter, you can substitute some of the heavy cream with vegetable or chicken broth. Perfect Pasta: Always cook pasta to al dente; it will continue to cook slightly when tossed with the sauce, ensuring a perfect texture. Cheese for Flavor: For an extra depth of flavor, mix in a variety of cheeses such as mozzarella or asiago along with the Parmesan. {{image_2}} You can easily make Creamy Tomato Basil Penne a vegetarian delight. Just keep the recipe as it is. The crushed tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil provide rich flavor. You can also add more veggies. Consider mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach. Sauté them with the garlic for a tasty twist. This keeps your meal light and healthy. If you want to add protein, chicken or shrimp works well. Cook your choice of protein before you start the sauce. For chicken, season and grill or pan-cook until golden. For shrimp, sauté them in olive oil until they turn pink. After the pasta is ready, mix your protein into the creamy sauce. This adds texture and makes the dish more filling. To make Creamy Tomato Basil Penne gluten-free, swap the penne for gluten-free pasta. Many brands offer great options that taste just as good. Cook the gluten-free pasta according to the package. Everything else in the recipe can stay the same. You won’t lose any flavor, and you’ll enjoy a great meal without the gluten. To store your creamy tomato basil penne, let it cool first. Place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the pasta fresh and tasty. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a better option. You can freeze this dish too! First, let it cool completely. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Make sure to leave some space at the top, as the pasta may expand. The penne can stay in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat it, just thaw it in the fridge overnight. When reheating, the key is to add a splash of water or cream. This helps bring back the creamy texture. You can use a microwave or a stovetop. If using the microwave, heat in short bursts to avoid overheating. Stir often to ensure even warming. If using the stovetop, heat on low and stir until warm. Enjoy your delicious meal again! Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Cook the penne pasta and the sauce separately. When you need to serve, simply warm the sauce and mix in the pasta. This helps keep the pasta from getting mushy. Creamy Tomato Basil Penne pairs well with many sides. Here are some ideas: - Garlic bread for a crunchy side. - A fresh green salad with vinaigrette. - Grilled vegetables for a healthy option. - Roasted chicken for added protein. These sides make your meal more filling and balanced. To spice up your sauce, add red pepper flakes. Start with a teaspoon for a mild heat. You can always add more if you like it spicier. Another option is to use diced jalapeños or hot sauce. Just remember to taste as you go to get the heat just right! In this blog post, we explored how to make a creamy tomato basil penne. We covered key ingredients, substitutions, and nutritional info. I shared step-by-step instructions for cooking the pasta and sauce. Tips helped you create the perfect flavor and creaminess. We also reviewed tasty variations and smart storage methods. This dish is easy to customize and store. You can enjoy it fresh or reheat leftovers. Don't hesitate to experiment to make it your own!

Creamy Tomato Basil Penne

A rich and creamy pasta dish with fresh basil and tomatoes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes (14 ounces)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • for garnish fresh basil leaves

Instructions
 

  • Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
  • Pour in the crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  • Reduce the heat and carefully stir in the heavy cream, mixing well until fully combined.
  • Add the chopped basil leaves and red pepper flakes (if using) to the sauce, stirring to distribute the flavors.
  • Gradually add the cooked penne to the skillet, tossing to coat the pasta in the creamy tomato sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
  • Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, mixing until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve the pasta warm, garnished with additional fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan on top.

Notes

Add more red pepper flakes for extra heat if desired.
Keyword basil, creamy, pasta, tomato