Description
A rich and creamy pasta dish with a spicy kick, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat the pasta in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half of the heavy cream with low-fat milk or use a dairy-free cream alternative.
- To add more protein, consider adding grilled chicken or shrimp to the pasta before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg