Description
A rich and creamy Tomato and Basil Penne Pasta recipe that combines a flavorful store-bought tomato basil sauce with fresh ingredients, simmered to perfection and finished with heavy cream and parmesan. Perfect for a comforting and easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb penne pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, diced small
- 1 jar Bertolli Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce
- Dash of sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Finishing Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- Fresh basil, for topping
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, making sure not to burn the garlic.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the jar of Bertolli Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce. Add a dash of sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir to combine, then cook the sauce on low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors and let the sauce thicken.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Finish Sauce with Cream and Cheese: Remove the sauce from heat. Stir in the heavy cream followed by the grated parmesan cheese. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and mix until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained penne pasta to the sauce and toss thoroughly to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until reaching desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Top the creamy pasta with freshly chopped basil and serve immediately while hot. Optionally, garnish with extra parmesan and basil.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Be careful not to burn garlic when sautéing as it can become bitter.
- Simmering the sauce allows flavors to develop and thicken the sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Use fresh parmesan for best flavor and texture.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
