Description
Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish combining al dente pasta with a luscious sauce made from butter, garlic, white wine, heavy cream, fresh tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and aromatic basil. This comforting meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, delivering a perfect balance of creamy texture and fresh, vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 tablespoon flour
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken/vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup basil, torn into pieces (or more, to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the pasta and cook it until al dente, following the package directions.
- Make Roux Base for Sauce: While the pasta is cooking and about 10 minutes remaining, heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted, sprinkle the flour and cook for about 1 minute while stirring frequently to form a roux.
- Add Garlic and Wine/Broth: Stir in minced garlic, then pour in white wine or broth. Allow the liquid to reduce by half, which should take around 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Incorporate Cream and Seasonings: Whisk in heavy cream, Dijon mustard (if using), and Italian seasoning until the sauce is smooth.
- Add Tomatoes and Thicken: Stir in chopped tomatoes and simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Finish Sauce with Cheese and Basil: Remove the skillet from heat and mix in grated Parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce and Serve: Drain the pasta, reserving about a tablespoon of pasta water. Add pasta to the skillet and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Using reserved pasta water helps adjust the sauce’s consistency to your liking.
- Fresh basil can be increased for a stronger herbal flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth or white wine.
- If Dijon mustard is unavailable, this step can be omitted without significantly affecting flavor.
- To reduce fat content, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or use a lactose-free cream alternative.
