Description
Mediterranean-inspired creamy tomato basil pasta brings silky elegance to weeknight dinners. Fresh basil and ripe tomatoes dance together, creating a luxurious sauce that wraps perfectly around al dente noodles you’ll savor in every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) uncooked pasta
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream or whipping cream
- ½ cup fresh basil, torn (or more to taste)
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ tablespoon flour
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Liquid and Fat:
- ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, season generously with salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until perfectly tender yet firm, following package guidelines.
- While pasta is simmering, prepare a skillet over medium-high heat and gently melt butter until it turns golden and fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour into the melted butter, whisking continuously to create a smooth, pale roux. Cook for approximately one minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Add minced garlic to the roux, releasing its aromatic essence for several seconds.
- Pour broth into the skillet, allowing the liquid to bubble and reduce by half, creating an intensely flavored base.
- Incorporate cream, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning, whisking until the sauce transforms into a silky, uniform consistency.
- Introduce chopped tomatoes into the sauce, letting them simmer and meld together, creating a rich and vibrant mixture.
- Remove skillet from heat and fold in parmesan cheese and delicate basil leaves, creating layers of complex flavors.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a perfectly balanced sauce.
- Drain pasta, reserving a small amount of starchy cooking liquid. Gently fold pasta into the sauce, using reserved water to adjust texture if needed.
- Transfer to serving dishes immediately, garnishing with additional freshly grated parmesan for an extra touch of indulgence.
Notes
- Achieve the perfect pasta texture by cooking it al dente, ensuring a slight firmness that complements the creamy sauce.
- Create a rich, velvety base by making a quick roux with butter and flour, which helps thicken the sauce and adds depth of flavor.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes and basil for the most vibrant and authentic taste, elevating the entire dish with bright, garden-fresh notes.
- Adjust sauce consistency by reserving a bit of pasta water, which can help thin or smooth out the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Balance flavors with a touch of Dijon mustard and Italian seasoning, adding complexity and a subtle kick to the creamy tomato sauce.
- Finish the dish immediately after combining pasta and sauce to maintain the ideal temperature and prevent the sauce from becoming too heavy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 90mg