Make this quick, creamy tomato basil pasta in one pot for easy cleanup. It uses simple ingredients and delivers rich, comforting flavor fast, perfect for busy weeknights.
Author:ellievance
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:20 min
Total Time:30 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Italian-American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
12 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup vegetable broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add the dry pasta to the pot. Stir well to submerge the pasta.
Cover the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Stir in the fresh chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
If you are looking for easy weeknight solutions, this recipe avoids complex steps often found when comparing meal planning services.
If you want a richer flavor, toast the tomatoes slightly before adding the liquid.