Nani's Creamy Tomato Pasta

Name: Nani's Creamy Tomato Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
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

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

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Italian· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

20 minutes

Total

30 minutes

Serves

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.

🧺 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

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3
Add the onion and garlic to the skillet, cooking until they are soft and fragrant.
4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and dried basil, then let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes.
5
Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
6
Drain the pasta, making sure to reserve a splash of the cooking water, and toss the noodles into the sauce.
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.

💡 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.

#pasta #dinner #vegetarian #comfort food #quick meals

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