Ingredients
Scale
Gathering your ingredients is like preparing for a little kitchen adventure. Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
- 12 ounces of pasta (penne or fettuccine work great)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for a bit of heat
If you find yourself short on a few ingredients, don’t worry. You can substitute canned tomatoes with fresh ones if they’re in season, or swap heavy cream with a lighter option like half-and-half.
Instructions
Now, let’s bring it all together. Here are the steps to make this dish a reality:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes to the skillet, including their juices, and simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens, roughly 3-4 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low, and add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Toss in the cooked pasta, ensuring each piece is well-coated with the sauce.
- Fold in the fresh basil and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the pasta sit for a minute to absorb some of the sauce.
Make sure you taste as you go. That’s one of the best lessons I learned from my grandmother—it’s not just about following steps, but about using your senses to guide you.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International