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Creamy 20-Minute One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta

creamy one-pot tomato basil pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pot pasta recipe that combines the fresh brightness of basil with a creamy tomato sauce, perfect for cozy dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces dry spaghetti or linguine, broken in half
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed and roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, preferably extra virgin
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the ingredients: halve the cherry tomatoes, mince the garlic, roughly chop the basil, and break the spaghetti in half. This should take about 5 minutes.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 1 minute.
  3. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and pour in 4 cups of broth. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Add the broken spaghetti to the pot, pressing it gently down to submerge. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. The pasta should be al dente and the broth should reduce slightly.
  6. Lower the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream, fresh basil, and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to taste. Cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
  7. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth or cream. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and basil on top.

Notes

Keep stirring every 2-3 minutes to prevent pasta from sticking. Use room temperature broth for even cooking. Fresh basil added at the end preserves its bright flavor. For a lighter sauce, substitute half the cream with Greek yogurt added off heat. Freshly grated Parmesan is recommended for best flavor. If sauce is watery after cooking, increase heat slightly and stir until thickened.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot pasta, tomato basil pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/creamy-20-minute-one-pot-tomato-basil-pasta-perfect-for-easy-dinners/