1 Shares

This Easy and Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta is the perfect comfort food for busy nights! Packed with garlic, cherry tomatoes, and a creamy, flavorful sauce, this dish is simple, nutritious, and can be made in under 30 minutes. It’s a fantastic weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy, and it’s rich in flavor with just the right amount of spice.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

8 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
4 tbsp olive oil
1 cup dry white wine
1 tsp white sugar
1 tsp chili flakes
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp flour
½ cup chopped parsley
8 oz rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan (optional)

Directions

Prep the Ingredients: Mince the garlic and slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
Sauté the Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and a pinch of salt. Sauté for about 5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
Cook the Tomatoes: Add cherry tomatoes and another pinch of salt. Sauté for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and release their juices.
Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the white wine and simmer for about 5 minutes. Stir in chili flakes and tomato paste.
Add the Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and water to form a slurry. Slowly stir this into the sauce and cook for 5-10 minutes until thickened.
Season & Combine: Stir in chopped parsley, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked pasta, making sure it remains al dente.
Finish Cooking: Let the pasta simmer in the sauce for another 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Cover with a lid and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve: Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan, extra parsley, and a sprinkle of black pepper. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrients

Calories: 480 per serving
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 45mg
Sodium: 560mg
Potassium: 420mg
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 8g
Calcium: 90mg
Iron: 2mg

Why This Tomato Garlic Pasta is Perfect for Busy Nights

Busy weeknights often call for meals that are both quick to prepare and full of flavor, and this tomato garlic pasta fits the bill perfectly. The dish comes together in under 30 minutes, and it requires minimal effort to prepare. The creamy tomato sauce is rich and satisfying without being overly heavy, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner. With a mix of fresh garlic, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a touch of heat from chili flakes, this pasta offers a balance of comforting and bold flavors that everyone will enjoy.

Moreover, this pasta is incredibly versatile. You can adjust the spice level to suit your tastes, and the creamy sauce pairs wonderfully with a variety of pasta types, whether it’s rigatoni, spaghetti, or penne. The recipe also allows for customization, so feel free to add extra vegetables, proteins, or seasonings to suit your preferences. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty vegetarian dish or want to add grilled chicken or shrimp, this pasta can easily be adapted to meet your needs.

The Ingredients That Make This Pasta Shine

The simplicity of this dish lies in the ingredients. A few staple items come together to create a flavorful and satisfying meal:

Garlic: The key to the dish’s aromatic base. Garlic infuses the sauce with a savory, fragrant essence that complements the sweetness of the tomatoes and the richness of the cream.
Cherry Tomatoes: These juicy little gems add sweetness and acidity, making them the perfect balance to the rich cream. As they cook, they soften and release their juices, creating a flavorful sauce.
Olive Oil: This healthy fat helps to sauté the garlic and tomatoes, creating a rich and smooth base for the sauce.
White Wine: The addition of white wine adds depth and complexity to the sauce, with a slight tanginess that helps balance the creaminess.
Heavy Cream: The base of the creamy sauce, it makes the pasta rich and comforting, coating each bite in luscious flavor.
Chili Flakes: These bring a mild heat to the dish, adding a bit of spice that makes the creamy sauce pop.
Smoked Paprika and Garlic Powder: These spices give the sauce an extra layer of flavor, enhancing the overall taste and providing a slight smokiness.

Together, these ingredients create a balanced sauce that’s rich, creamy, and full of flavor.

How to Make This Easy and Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta

Making this dish is incredibly easy, even for beginner cooks. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:

Prep the Ingredients: Start by mincing the garlic and halving the cherry tomatoes. This will help you quickly assemble the dish once you begin cooking.
Sauté the Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic with a pinch of salt and sauté for about 5 minutes, until golden and fragrant. This step is crucial because it allows the garlic to release its aromatic oils, creating a solid flavor base for the sauce.
Cook the Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pan with another pinch of salt. Sauté for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and release their juices. As they cook down, the tomatoes create the foundation of the sauce.
Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. This helps to lift any caramelized bits off the bottom of the pan and adds a depth of flavor to the sauce. Stir in the chili flakes and tomato paste to bring everything together.
Add the Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and water to create a slurry, then slowly stir this into the sauce. The flour helps to thicken the sauce, creating a creamy texture that coats the pasta.
Season & Combine: Stir in the chopped parsley, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. These seasonings will round out the flavor of the sauce and add a bit of color. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, making sure it remains al dente. Let everything simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb some of the sauce.
Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and cover the pan with a lid. Let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan, extra parsley, and a sprinkle of black pepper, and your creamy tomato garlic pasta is ready to serve!

Nutritional Benefits of Tomato Garlic Pasta

This pasta is not only delicious but also provides a balanced meal. With 480 calories per serving, it offers a good mix of carbohydrates, protein, and fats. The rigatoni provides a solid base of carbohydrates, while the heavy cream and olive oil contribute healthy fats that make the dish rich and satisfying.

Each serving also contains 4 grams of fiber, thanks to the tomatoes and parsley, which helps support digestion and keep you feeling full. The chili flakes and garlic add flavor while providing a small boost of antioxidants, supporting overall health.

The dish also provides a decent amount of potassium (420 mg), which helps maintain fluid balance and supports proper muscle function. While the dish is rich in saturated fat (10 grams per serving), this comes from sources like olive oil and cream, which provide beneficial fats when consumed in moderation.

Serving Suggestions

This easy and creamy tomato garlic pasta is perfect on its own but can be served with a variety of sides to make a full meal. For a lighter option, pair it with a simple green salad dressed in balsamic vinegar and olive oil. The acidity of the dressing will complement the creaminess of the pasta.

If you want to add some protein, grilled chicken, shrimp, or even tofu would be excellent additions. The creamy sauce pairs well with almost any protein, making it a versatile dish that can be tailored to suit your tastes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Easy and Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta is a flavorful, comforting, and quick dish that is perfect for busy weeknights. With minimal prep and cooking time, it provides a delicious meal that the whole family will enjoy. The combination of garlic, cherry tomatoes, and creamy sauce makes each bite irresistible, while the addition of chili flakes and smoked paprika adds depth and warmth to the dish. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a crowd, this pasta is sure to become a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation. Enjoy it with a side of greens or a protein of your choice for a complete and satisfying meal!

Pin1