Viral Creamy Tomato Pasta
Viral Creamy Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, any short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/2 yellow onion, medium, finely chopped
- 15 ounces tomato puree, canned
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the pan. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Stir in the tomato puree, salt, red chili flakes, black pepper, and granulated sugar. Mix all ingredients thoroughly to combine.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Pour in 1/2 cup of water (or some of the reserved pasta water) and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Add the drained, cooked pasta to the sauce in the pan. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the tomato sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Pour in the heavy cream and mix again until it is fully incorporated into the sauce, creating a creamy consistency.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Continue mixing until the cheese has melted completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Remove from heat. Garnish the finished pasta with freshly chopped cilantro.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Serve the creamy tomato pasta hot, with extra grated Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Viral Creamy Tomato Pasta
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, any short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/2 yellow onion, medium, finely chopped
- 15 ounces tomato puree, canned
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the pan. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Stir in the tomato puree, salt, red chili flakes, black pepper, and granulated sugar. Mix all ingredients thoroughly to combine.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Pour in 1/2 cup of water (or some of the reserved pasta water) and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Add the drained, cooked pasta to the sauce in the pan. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the tomato sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Pour in the heavy cream and mix again until it is fully incorporated into the sauce, creating a creamy consistency.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Continue mixing until the cheese has melted completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Remove from heat. Garnish the finished pasta with freshly chopped cilantro.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Serve the creamy tomato pasta hot, with extra grated Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.