Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe
This creamy tomato garlic pasta recipe combines the sweetness of sautéed cherry tomatoes and the richness of a cream-based sauce, infused with garlic, smoked paprika, and white wine for a flavorful, comforting Italian-inspired dish perfect for a quick dinner.
- Author: Ava
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Sauce 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 or alternative milk (1:1 swap)
- 1 tablespoon Flour
- ½ cup Chopped Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz Rigatoni Pasta, cooked al dente
To Serve
- Freshly Grated Parmesan, optional
- Prep the Ingredients: Mince the garlic cloves and halve the cherry tomatoes to prepare them for sautéing and sauce making.
- Sauté the Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ½ teaspoon salt, sautéing for about 5 minutes until golden and aromatic, which forms the flavorful base of the sauce.
- Cook the Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes with an additional ½ teaspoon salt. Sauté for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and release their juices, creating a natural sauce.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in dry white wine and simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in chili flakes and tomato paste to deepen the sauce’s flavor and color.
- Add the Cream: Pour in heavy cream, stirring to combine. Prepare a slurry by whisking flour with water and slowly add it to the pan, cooking for 5-10 minutes while stirring to thicken the sauce nicely.
- Season & Combine: Incorporate chopped parsley, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked rigatoni pasta ensuring it’s al dente so it holds texture in the sauce.
- Finish Cooking: Simmer the pasta in the sauce for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Remove from heat, cover, and let rest for 5 minutes to enhance the taste and texture.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, extra parsley, and a sprinkle of black pepper to finish before serving hot.
Notes
- Use alternative milk like oat or almond milk for a lighter or dairy-free version but expect slight changes in creaminess.
- Adjust chili flakes based on your preferred spice level.
- To keep the pasta perfectly al dente, do not overcook it before combining with the sauce.
- Freshly grated Parmesan adds a rich, savory finish but can be omitted for a vegetarian dish if strictly avoiding animal rennet.
- White sugar balances acidity but can be reduced or omitted if preferred.
Keywords: creamy tomato pasta, garlic pasta, rigatoni pasta recipe, tomato cream sauce, Italian pasta dish