Do you love comfort foods? This Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe is perfect for you! It is done in under 30 minutes & is so easy to make! Not to mention, it’s filled with veggies making this a nutrient dense dish the whole family will love!
If you love creamy comfort foods, you are going to absolutely love my Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe, Creamy Shrimp Linguine & Creamier Carbonara!
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What You'll Need to make this Tomato Garlic Pasta
- Garlic Cloves
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Olive Oil
- Dry White Wine
- White Sugar
- Tomato Paste
- Heavy Cream
- Flour
- Chopped Parsley
- Rigatoni Pasta
- Spices: Chili Flakes, Smoked Paprika Powder & Garlic Powder
- Salt & Pepper
- Parmesan (Optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe
Sauté veggies & add white wine.
Add in the heavy cream & simmer.
Mix in the cooked pasta.
Serve & enjoy!
- Prep the Ingredients: Finely chop the garlic and slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
- Sauté the Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and a pinch of salt, cooking until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the Tomatoes: Add the cherry tomatoes and another pinch of salt. Sauté for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and begin to release their juices.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the white wine, letting it simmer for about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili flakes and tomato paste, mixing well to combine.
- Add the Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour with 2 tablespoons of water to form a smooth slurry. Slowly stir this into the sauce, allowing it to thicken over 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season & Combine: Stir in the chopped parsley, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked rigatoni, making sure the pasta is al dente to avoid overcooking in the sauce.
- 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 crack of black pepper. Enjoy!
Substitutions
- Garlic Cloves: Shallots or onions.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Regular tomatoes (chopped), sun-dried tomatoes, or canned diced tomatoes.
- Olive Oil: Avocado oil, vegetable oil, or pork lard.
- Dry White Wine: Chicken broth, vegetable broth, or white grape juice mixed with a splash of vinegar.
- White Sugar: Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup.
- Chili Flakes: Cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or fresh chili peppers.
- Tomato Paste: Crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Heavy Cream: Half-and-half or a store-bought Alfredo sauce.
- Flour: Cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or almond flour (for thickening).
- Chopped Parsley: Cilantro, basil, or spinach.
- Rigatoni Pasta: Penne, fusilli, or any other short pasta.
- Smoked Paprika Powder: Regular paprika, chipotle powder, or chili powder.
- Garlic Powder: Onion powder, minced garlic, or shallot powder.
- Salt: Soy sauce, miso, or sea salt.
- Parmesan: Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, or nutritional yeast (for a dairy-free option)
Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Large Pan
- Large Pot for Boiling Pasta
How to Store & Reheat!
Store leftover creamy tomato garlic rigatoni in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce. Avoid freezing, as the cream sauce may separate when thawed.
3 Top Tips for Success
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Undercook the pasta slightly so it doesn’t overcook in the sauce, keeping it perfectly firm.
- Thicken the Sauce Gradually: Mix the flour slurry slowly into the sauce to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic, ripe cherry tomatoes, and parsley enhance the flavor and richness of the dish.
FAQ's
Visit the search results to see which questions come up under the People also ask section for your primary keyword, and answer them here
It's better to use cooked garlic in pasta, as it mellows the flavor and adds a rich, sweet depth to the dish.
To thicken creamy tomato pasta sauce, mix a small amount of flour or cornstarch with water to form a slurry, then gradually stir it into the simmering sauce. Alternatively, reduce the sauce over low heat by simmering it longer to naturally thicken and concentrate the flavors. (full instructions on recipe card below)
Related
Looking for other pasta recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dessert recipes to serve with this creamy pasta:
Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- Large Pan
Ingredients
- 8 Garlic Cloves minced
- 3 cups Cherry Tomatoes halved
- 4 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 cup Dry White Wine
- 1 teaspoon White Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Chili Flakes
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 1 tablespoon Flour
- ½ cup Chopped Parsley
- 8 oz Rigatoni Pasta cooked al dente
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Freshly Grated Parmesan optional
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Mince the garlic and slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
- Sauté the Garlic: Heat 4 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ½ teaspoon of salt. Sauté until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the Tomatoes: Add 3 cups of cherry tomatoes and another ½ teaspoon of salt. Sauté for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and release their juices.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in 1 cup of dry white wine, letting it simmer for about 5 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of chili flakes and 2 tablespoon of tomato paste, mixing everything together.
- Add the Cream: Pour in 2 cups of heavy cream and stir. In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon of flour with 2 tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Slowly stir this into the sauce to thicken it, cooking for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season & Combine: Stir in ½ cup of chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked rigatoni, ensuring it remains al dente to avoid overcooking.
- Finish Cooking: Let the pasta simmer in the sauce for an additional 5 minutes. 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. Enjoy!
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Krithu
it was too good! thank you