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Creamy Summer Tomato Basil Pasta

creamy summer tomato basil pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy 20-minute pasta dish featuring fresh summer tomatoes, basil, and a luscious creamy sauce. Perfect for warm evenings, this recipe balances bright tomato acidity with rich creaminess.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) pasta (penne or fusilli preferred; gluten-free pasta optional)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cups (about 600 g) fresh summer tomatoes, chopped (Roma or vine-ripened)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add chopped fresh tomatoes to the skillet. Stir to combine, reduce heat to medium-low, and let simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until tomatoes start breaking down but still hold some shape.
  4. Season the tomato mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, starting with ½ teaspoon salt.
  5. Pour in ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream, stirring gently to combine. Warm for 2-3 minutes until sauce turns light pink and thickens slightly. If sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen.
  6. Add cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat evenly. If pan is too small, return pasta to pot and pour sauce over it, tossing to combine.
  7. Stir in 1 cup fresh chopped basil and ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese. Toss once more to blend flavors.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.

Notes

Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency. Keep heat moderate when adding cream to prevent curdling. Use fresh ripe tomatoes for best flavor. Add basil at the end to preserve aroma and color. For dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: tomato pasta, creamy pasta, summer recipe, basil pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta, vegetarian pasta, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/creamy-summer-tomato-basil-pasta-recipe-easy-20-minute-dinner-idea/