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To make this tasty dish, you need: - 12 oz (340g) penne pasta - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 medium onion, finely chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes - 2 cups vegetable broth - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 teaspoon dried basil - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salt and pepper to taste - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving) - Fresh basil leaves for garnish You can add these to make your pasta even better: - A splash of balsamic vinegar for tang - Spinach or kale for some green goodness - A pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes If you have dietary needs, here are some swaps: - Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free dish - Almond or coconut milk can replace heavy cream - Nutritional yeast can stand in for Parmesan cheese This recipe comes together quickly and brings comfort to your table. For the full recipe, check out the details above! To make One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta, start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook for about 4-5 minutes until it looks clear. Next, stir in minced garlic and the optional red pepper flakes. Cook this for 1-2 minutes until you smell the garlic. Then, add the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, and heavy cream to the pot. Mix everything well. Bring the mixture to a light boil. Once it bubbles, add the penne pasta. Make sure the pasta is fully covered by the sauce. Cover the pot and let it cook for 12-15 minutes. Stir it every few minutes to keep it from sticking. Check if the pasta is al dente and has soaked up most of the liquid. When the pasta is ready, take the pot off the heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper. If you find the sauce too thick, add a bit more broth or cream to thin it out. Serve it hot with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan on top. To get the best pasta, use a large pot to give it room. Stir it often during cooking to stop it from clumping together. Make sure to check the pasta a minute or two before the time is up. You want it firm but cooked through. If it seems too dry, add a little more broth or cream to keep it creamy. - Heating olive oil and cooking onion: 4-5 minutes - Adding garlic and red pepper flakes: 1-2 minutes - Mixing in tomatoes, broth, and cream: 2 minutes - Bringing to a simmer: 2-3 minutes - Cooking penne pasta: 12-15 minutes - Stirring in cheese and seasoning: 2 minutes This breakdown helps you see how quickly this dish comes together. You can prepare a tasty meal in just about 25 minutes using the Full Recipe. Enjoy the rich flavors and creamy texture of this comforting dish! One of the biggest mistakes is overcooking the pasta. Pasta should be al dente. It cooks more in the pot after you add the cream. Another mistake is adding all the ingredients at once. Start with the aromatics like onion and garlic. This builds a strong base for flavor. Skipping the seasoning can ruin your dish. Always taste and adjust salt and pepper as you go. To make cleanup easy, use a large pot. Cook everything in this pot to reduce dishes. Line your pot with parchment paper if you want. This helps with sticking. Use a wooden spoon to avoid scratches. Clean as you go. Rinse utensils and bowls right after use. This saves time later. To enhance your one-pot creamy tomato pasta, add fresh herbs. Fresh basil adds a bright taste. You can also try thyme or parsley. For a kick, include a pinch of red pepper flakes. If you want a deeper flavor, add a splash of balsamic vinegar. A dash of lemon juice can brighten the dish, too. For more richness, consider a sprinkle of smoked paprika or a bit of nutmeg. These small additions can make a big difference. {{image_2}} You can make this dish vegetarian or vegan easily. To make it vegetarian, just use vegetable broth and keep the heavy cream. For a vegan version, swap the heavy cream for coconut milk or cashew cream. This keeps the dish rich and creamy. You can also add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Using vegan cheese can add extra taste too. If you want to add protein, chicken or shrimp works well. For chicken, cut it into small pieces and cook it with the onion at the start. This helps it soak up all the great flavors. For shrimp, add them when you stir in the pasta. Cook them just until they turn pink. This keeps them tender and juicy. Adding veggies boosts nutrition and flavor. Spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini are great options. You can toss them in with the garlic for a few minutes to soften them. You can also use frozen peas or broccoli. Just stir them in during the last few minutes of cooking. This keeps them bright and fresh. Feel free to get creative with these ideas! You can find the Full Recipe at the end for all the details. To keep your One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta fresh, first let it cool. Place it in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. This way, you can enjoy it later without losing flavor. When you reheat, use a pot on low heat. Add a splash of vegetable broth or cream to keep it creamy. Stir often to avoid sticking. You can also microwave it in a bowl. Cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. If you want to freeze your pasta, use a freezer-safe container. Portion it out into single servings for easy meals. It will stay good for up to three months. To reheat, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat as mentioned above for the best results. It takes about 25 minutes to make One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta. You spend 10 minutes prepping and 15 minutes cooking. This quick time makes it great for busy nights. You can enjoy a tasty meal without a lot of fuss. Yes, you can use different types of pasta. Penne works well, but you can try spaghetti, fusilli, or farfalle. Just keep an eye on cooking times, as they may vary. Remember, thicker pasta may take longer to cook. You can use several substitutes for heavy cream. A popular choice is half-and-half. You can also use coconut milk for a dairy-free option. Another option is to blend silken tofu with a bit of water. Each choice will give a different flavor and texture. We covered the key steps to make One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta. You learned about essential ingredients, cooking instructions, and tips to avoid common mistakes. We also discussed fun variations and how to store leftovers. This easy dish is perfect for busy nights. Try adding your favorite proteins or veggies for an extra twist. With these tips, you can simplify cooking and enjoy delicious pasta any time. Happy cooking!

One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta

Get ready to enjoy a delicious meal with this easy One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta recipe! Perfect for busy nights, this dish combines penne pasta with crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and fragrant herbs all cooked in one pot for minimal cleanup. In just 25 minutes, you can serve a creamy, comforting dish that everyone will love. Click through for the full recipe and make dinner a breeze tonight!
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Ingredients
  

12 oz (340g) penne pasta

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes

2 cups vegetable broth

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)

Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions
 

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 4-5 minutes.

    Stir in the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

      Add the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, heavy cream, dried basil, and oregano to the pot. Mix well to combine.

        Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add the penne pasta, stirring to ensure the pasta is submerged.

          Cover the pot and let it cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.

            Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pot from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

              If the sauce is too thick, feel free to add a splash more vegetable broth or cream to reach your desired consistency.

                Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese on top.

                  Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 25 min | Servings: 4