Penne with Tomato Cream
Indulge in the luscious flavors of Penne with Tomato Cream, a comforting pasta dish that perfectly balances rich, creamy textures with the bright tang of tomato. This recipe combines tender penne pasta with a velvety sauce made from crushed tomatoes, caramelized tomato paste, and heavy cream, elevated by the aromatic allure of garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and fresh basil. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese ties it all together, offering a savory finish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pan delight is both simple and satisfying, with customizable options to suit your taste. Serve it piping hot and garnish with extra basil and Parmesan for a restaurant-quality presentation at home!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 g penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 count garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
- 200 ml heavy cream
- 50 g grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 3 liters water
Instructions
Bring 3 liters of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the penne pasta.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly.
Add the crushed tomatoes and stir well. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. If the sauce appears too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to reach your desired consistency.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil, reserving a small amount of each for garnish, if desired.
Remove the skillet from heat and let the pasta rest for 1-2 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Serve the penne with tomato cream immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and basil. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2706 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 118.0 g | 151% | |
| Saturated Fat | 54.4 g | 272% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 250 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 3900 mg | 170% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 329.7 g | 120% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.9 g | 85% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.7 g | ||
| Protein | 78.0 g | 156% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 876 mg | 67% | |
| Iron | 20.0 mg | 111% | |
| Potassium | 2701 mg | 57% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
