Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta is a luscious, flavor-packed dish combining roasted cherry tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and a velvety cream sauce. The addition of white wine and spices gives it a delightful depth, while the rigatoni pasta provides the perfect hearty base. A comforting and elegant meal that’s easy to prepare yet impressive for any occasion.
- Author: Naya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Base Ingredients
- 8 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- 3 cups Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
- 4 tbsp Olive Oil
- 8 oz Rigatoni Pasta (cooked al dente)
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 tsp White Sugar
- 1 tsp Chili Flakes
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- Salt & Pepper (to taste)
Sauces & Liquids
- 1 cup Dry White Wine
- 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 2 cups Heavy Cream (or the alternative milk, 1:1 swap)
- 1 tbsp Flour
- 1/2 cup Chopped Parsley
Optional Garnish
- Freshly Grated Parmesan (optional)
- Prep the Ingredients: Mince the garlic cloves finely and slice the cherry tomatoes in half to prepare them for cooking.
- Sauté the Garlic: Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic along with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, then sauté until the garlic turns golden and releases a fragrant aroma, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pan with another 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Sauté for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes soften and release their juices, forming a juicy base.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in 1 cup of dry white wine to deglaze the pan, allowing it to simmer for around 5 minutes so the alcohol evaporates and the flavors concentrate. Stir in 1 teaspoon of chili flakes and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, combining everything evenly.
- Add the Cream: Pour in 2 cups of heavy cream and stir well. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of flour with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry, then slowly incorporate this into the sauce to thicken it. Continue cooking and stirring for 5 to 10 minutes until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Season & Combine: Stir in 1/2 cup of chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and adjust salt and pepper to your taste. Add the cooked rigatoni pasta, making sure it stays al dente so it doesn’t become mushy.
- Finish Cooking: Let the pasta simmer gently in the creamy sauce for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld perfectly. Remove from heat, cover with a lid, and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, extra chopped parsley, and a sprinkle of black pepper for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with plant-based milk like oat or almond milk mixed with a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for a lighter or vegan-friendly version.
- Cooking the pasta al dente is crucial to avoid sogginess since it will continue to cook in the sauce.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the chili flakes.
- Fresh parsley can be substituted with basil or oregano for different herbal notes.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you require a gluten-free meal.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge up to 3 days and reheat using a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 1/4 cups)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Creamy tomato pasta, garlic pasta recipe, rigatoni with creamy tomato sauce, easy Italian pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta