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- 12 oz penne pasta - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 medium onion, diced - 4 cloves garlic, minced These are the core items you need for this dish. Penne pasta cooks well and holds sauce nicely. Cherry tomatoes add sweetness and color. Onions and garlic bring depth to the flavor. - 3 cups vegetable broth - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped - 1 teaspoon dried oregano These liquids create a rich sauce. Vegetable broth gives a savory base. Heavy cream makes it creamy and smooth. Fresh basil adds a bright, herby taste. Dried oregano enhances the overall flavor profile. - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes - Salt and pepper to taste - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese These optional items can elevate your dish. Red pepper flakes give a gentle heat. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. Grated Parmesan cheese adds a savory finish when serving. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by heating a drizzle of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium onion, diced. Sauté it for about 3-4 minutes until it turns translucent. This step builds a good flavor base. Then, stir in 4 cloves of minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, just until you smell its wonderful aroma. Next, add 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes to the pot. Toss in 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you want a bit of heat. Cook this mixture for about 3-5 minutes. You want the tomatoes to break down and get soft. They will add sweetness and tang to the sauce. Now, pour in 3 cups of vegetable broth. Bring it to a simmer. Once simmering, add 12 oz of penne pasta. Stir well to combine everything. Cook for 9-11 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check if the pasta is al dente and if the sauce has thickened nicely. Finally, lower the heat and stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of chopped fresh basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to thicken. Serve warm, topped with ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your meal! To get that creamy texture, focus on your pasta's cooking time. When cooking, keep stirring the penne pasta. This helps it cook evenly. Aim for al dente, which means slightly firm. This gives the best bite! The sauce will thicken as it cools. Let it sit a minute before serving. This way, it becomes creamier. Sometimes, you may not have heavy cream. You can use milk and cornstarch instead. Mix one cup of milk with one tablespoon of cornstarch. This will mimic the creaminess. If you run out of fresh basil, dried basil works too. Use one teaspoon of dried basil for every tablespoon of fresh. It still adds flavor! Pair this pasta with garlic bread for a nice crunch. A light salad can balance the meal too. For drinks, try a refreshing iced tea or a crisp white wine. These choices complement the dish well. Enjoy your meal with friends or family for a delightful time! Pro Tips Fresh Basil is Key: Always use fresh basil for the best flavor. Add it at the end of cooking to preserve its vibrant taste and aroma. Cooking Pasta in the Sauce: Cooking the pasta directly in the sauce allows it to absorb more flavor. Make sure to check occasionally and stir to prevent sticking. Adjusting Creaminess: If you prefer a lighter dish, you can reduce the amount of heavy cream or substitute it with half-and-half or a non-dairy alternative. Leftover Pasta Storage: Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat with a splash of vegetable broth to bring back the creaminess. {{image_2}} You can add protein to your One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta to make it heartier. Chicken is a great choice. Simply cook diced chicken in the pot before adding onions. Shrimp also works well. Cook the shrimp until they turn pink. For plant-based options, use lentils or chickpeas. Both add protein and fiber. Adding vegetables boosts the nutrition and flavor of the dish. Spinach is easy to mix in. Just stir it in at the end until it wilts. Zucchini adds a nice crunch. Slice it thin and add it with the tomatoes. Bell peppers add sweetness. Dice them up and cook with the onions. You can change the flavor with different herbs or spices. Try thyme for a warm taste. Rosemary adds a lovely aroma. If you want heat, add more red pepper flakes. A splash of lemon juice brightens the dish, too. Mix and match until you find your favorite flavor. To store leftovers safely, let the pasta cool down. Transfer it to an airtight container. Place it in the fridge. Enjoy it within three days for the best taste. Make sure to label it with the date. To keep the dish creamy, heat it slowly on the stove. Add a splash of water or broth to help it rehydrate. Stir gently until it warms up. This helps prevent it from becoming dry. You can also use a microwave, but be careful. Heat it in short bursts and stir often. To freeze, let the dish cool completely. Spoon it into freezer-safe containers. Leave space at the top for expansion. Label the containers with the date. For best taste, use within three months. To defrost, move it to the fridge overnight. Reheat it on the stove with some water or broth to regain creaminess. It takes about 25 minutes to make One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta. You spend 10 minutes prepping the ingredients. The cooking time is around 15 minutes. This quick process gives you a tasty meal in no time. Yes, you can make this pasta vegan! To do this, swap heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. You can also use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a cheesy flavor. This way, you keep the dish creamy and delicious without any animal products. Penne pasta works great for this recipe. Its shape holds the sauce well, giving you a good bite. You can also try rotini or fusilli for a twist. Just make sure the pasta cooks evenly and blends well with the sauce. This blog post covered the key steps to make One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta. We discussed essential ingredients, cooking methods, and tips for success. You learned how to create a rich, flavorful dish with simple steps. Remember, you can customize it with proteins or veggies to suit your taste. Storing leftovers properly will keep your meal fresh for later. Enjoy exploring this dish, and don’t hesitate to make it your own!

One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

A delicious and easy one-pot pasta dish with creamy tomato sauce and fresh basil.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot or deep skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  • Add the halved cherry tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pot. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to start breaking down.
  • Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
  • Add the penne pasta to the pot, stirring well to combine. Cook for 9-11 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is cooked al dente and the liquid has reduced, leaving a creamy sauce consistency.
  • Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as desired.
  • Remove from heat and let it sit for a couple of minutes to thicken slightly before serving.
  • Serve warm, garnished with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a few extra basil leaves for a fresh touch.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
Keyword basil, creamy, one pot, pasta, tomato