Penne with Tomato Herb Cream Sauce
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Penne with Tomato Herb Cream Sauce, a dish that's equal parts cozy and elegant. Featuring perfectly cooked penne pasta tossed in a luscious tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic dried herbs like basil and oregano, this recipe gets an irresistible upgrade with the addition of heavy cream for a velvety finish. A touch of crushed red pepper flakes provides a gentle kick, while freshly grated Parmesan cheese and parsley add a layer of freshness and flavor. Ready in just 35 minutes and perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining, this creamy penne pasta is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve it with a side of crusty bread or a crisp green salad for a complete and satisfying meal. Keywords: creamy penne pasta, tomato herb sauce, quick pasta recipe, comfort food dinner.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 pieces garlic cloves, minced
- 800 grams canned whole peeled tomatoes
- 200 milliliters heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Pour in the canned whole peeled tomatoes, breaking them apart with a wooden spoon. Add the dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to become creamy and rich.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot. Optionally, serve with additional Parmesan cheese on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
494 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.3 g | 36% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.7 g | 69% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 63 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 968 mg | 42% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 44.1 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.9 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.7 g | ||
| Protein | 12.9 g | 26% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 192 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 471 mg | 10% | |
*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.
