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๐Ÿฅ˜Recipes by Nani
Dinner

Nani's Creamy Tomato Pasta

This comforting pasta dish is a weeknight favorite that brings a touch of creaminess to a classic tomato sauce.

By Recipes By Naniยท ๐ŸŒ Italianยท July 19, 2026
Nani's Creamy Tomato Pasta
recipesbynani.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
20 minutes
Total
30 minutes
Serves
4

There is something so special about a bowl of pasta covered in a silky tomato sauce. It is my go to meal when I need something quick but still want that cozy homemade feeling.

My favorite trick for this recipe is to save a little bit of the pasta water before draining it. Mixing that starchy water into the sauce helps everything cling to the noodles perfectly.

๐Ÿงบ Ingredients

  • 12 ounces penne or your favorite pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸณInstructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.

  2. 2

    While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

  3. 3

    Add the onion and garlic to the skillet, cooking until they are soft and fragrant.

  4. 4

    Pour in the crushed tomatoes and dried basil, then let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes.

  5. 5

    Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

  6. 6

    Drain the pasta, making sure to reserve a splash of the cooking water, and toss the noodles into the sauce.

  7. 7

    Add a little bit of the pasta water if you need to thin out the sauce, then season with salt and pepper before serving.

๐Ÿ’ก Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If you want a bit of extra flavor, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or tossing in some fresh spinach right at the end.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

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