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Creamy Tomato Pasta
Recipe by Grit & Soul · Save to D!NNER PLAN$
20 minBase: 4 servingsStovetopitalian
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4 people
Ingredients
- pastaNeed: 12 ozBuy: 1 box
- tomato sauceNeed: 2 cupBuy: 2 can
- heavy creamNeed: 0.5 cup
- parmesanNeed: 0.75 cupBuy: 1 bag
- garlicNeed: 3 cloveBuy: 1 head
- butterNeed: 2 tbspBuy: 1 stick
Instructions
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Before you start
Gather the ingredients and the pan or pot before turning on the heat. These steps keep the cooking efficient while still spelling out the key heat settings, doneness cues, and safe handling details.
1. Cook the pasta
Use a 5- to 6-quart pot with enough salted water to let the pasta move freely. Bring it to a rolling boil over high heat, add the pasta, and stir immediately. Keep a steady boil, cook for the package time, and taste a piece before draining; pasta for a baked dish should be just shy of tender. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water if a sauce will be added, then turn off the burner and drain in a colander without rinsing.
Al dente means the pasta should be tender with a slight bite in the center.
2. Cook the aromatics
Lower the skillet to medium heat, add the listed fat, and stir the garlic for 30 to 60 seconds, just until fragrant. Do not let it brown deeply or it may taste bitter.
Once garlic smells strong and toasty, move quickly so it does not burn and turn bitter.
3. Make the sauce
Lower the heat to medium-low, add the liquid gradually while stirring, and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Once it coats a spoon, reduce the heat to low or off before adding cheese so it melts smoothly; loosen with a splash of liquid if needed.
A simmer uses small steady bubbles, not a hard rolling boil.
4. Step 4
Lower the heat to medium-low, add the liquid gradually while stirring, and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Once it coats a spoon, reduce the heat to low or off before adding cheese so it melts smoothly; loosen with a splash of liquid if needed.
Keep the heat gentle and stir steadily so the sauce stays smooth instead of splitting.
5. Finish and serve
Reduce the heat to low or off, add the ingredients in the listed order, and stir or toss until evenly coated. Adjust the texture with a small splash of liquid or a short rest over low heat, then taste and season before serving.