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Creamy One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta with Parmesan

creamy one-pot tomato basil pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pot pasta recipe featuring a creamy tomato basil sauce with Parmesan cheese, perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz dry pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or half and half (optional, can substitute coconut cream for dairy-free)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When shimmering, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Add crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir and bring to a gentle boil.
  3. Pour in the dry pasta, ensuring it is mostly submerged. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Check pasta for doneness around 12 minutes; it should be al dente. Add a splash of water or broth if sauce is too thick before pasta is done.
  5. Once pasta is cooked, stir in heavy cream (if using) and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy.
  6. Remove from heat and fold in chopped fresh basil.
  7. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir and let sit covered for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use enough liquid to hydrate pasta fully and stir gently but often to prevent clumping. Add Parmesan off heat or on very low to avoid grainy texture. Fold in fresh basil at the end to preserve brightness. If sauce is watery after cooking, simmer uncovered to thicken.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot pasta, tomato basil pasta, creamy pasta, Parmesan pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-one-pot-tomato-basil-pasta-with-parmesan-easy-recipe-for-perfect-dinner/