Description
A comforting Italian classic, this Creamy Tomato Basil Spaghetti features perfectly al dente spaghetti coated in a rich, velvety tomato cream sauce infused with fresh basil and garlic. It’s a quick, easy, and family-friendly meal that transforms dinner into an extraordinary experience.
Ingredients
- Uncooked spaghetti: ½ lb (250 g)
- Fresh tomatoes, chopped: 1 lb (or 14 oz canned)
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Garlic, minced: 3 cloves
- Onion, finely chopped: 1 medium
- Chicken or vegetable stock: 2 cups
- Heavy cream (double cream): ¾ cup
- Fresh basil, chopped: ½ bunch
- Salt & pepper: To taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent and aromatic.
- Stir in your chopped fresh tomatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized.
- Pour in the stock and add the uncooked spaghetti. Ensure the pasta is fully submerged.
- Let the pasta cook for approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
- Stir in the heavy cream and chopped basil. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to combine.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Fresh tomatoes offer a vibrant taste, but canned tomatoes are a perfect substitute.
- Use a high-quality olive oil for enhanced sauce depth.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream.
- Ripe, in-season tomatoes yield the sweetest flavor.
- Stir gently to prevent the pasta from breaking.
- Adjust cream quantity for your preferred sauce consistency.
- Consider adding red pepper flakes or black pepper for depth.
- Experiment by adding spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of stock or cream.
- Creamy pasta freezes best without the cream. Freeze the tomato-pasta mixture and stir in cream upon reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g