Description
A rich and creamy tomato and basil pasta dish featuring a luscious blend of crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and Romano cheese, perfectly seasoned and tossed with al dente penne pasta. This comforting meal is easy to prepare on the stovetop and garnished with fresh basil for a fragrant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Romano cheese, grated
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
Pasta
- 16 oz penne pasta
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the sauce base: Over medium-high heat, melt butter in a large pan. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add tomatoes and cream: Pour in the crushed tomatoes followed by the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Incorporate cheese and seasonings: Add the grated Romano cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the sauce. Immediately reduce heat to low and stir continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth.
- Add fresh basil: Stir in the chopped fresh basil and allow it to wilt in the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes, releasing its aroma and flavor.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Remove the sauce from heat and combine it with the cooked penne pasta, tossing well to coat every piece evenly.
- Serve and garnish: Plate the pasta and garnish with additional grated Romano cheese and fresh basil leaves as desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor; garlic powder is used for an extra layer of garlic taste.
- Romano cheese can be substituted with Parmesan if preferred.
- Be sure to stir the sauce continuously when adding the cheese to avoid clumping.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste, adding more salt or pepper if needed.
- This dish pairs well with a side of garlic bread or a light green salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Creamy tomato pasta, basil pasta, penne pasta recipe, Italian pasta dish, vegetarian pasta, easy stovetop recipe
