Tomato-Cream Sauce for Pasta

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Boil the Pasta 🍝

1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil.
2. Add your penne pasta and cook according to the package directions until it reaches a perfect al dente bite.
3. Drain the pasta, but don’t forget to reserve ½ cup of warm pasta water just in case you want to loosen the sauce later!

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics 🧅🧄

1. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil and melt the butter together in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the finely minced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft, translucent, and sweet.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes. Sauté for another 1 minute until highly fragrant, keeping a close eye so the garlic doesn’t brown.

Step 3: Simmer the Tomato Base 🥫

1. Pour the crushed tomatoes and dried Italian seasoning into the skillet. Give everything a good stir to combine with the aromatics.
2. Turn the heat down to low, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, and let it cook uncovered for about 10 minutes. This allows the tomatoes to deepen in flavor and reduce slightly.
3. Taste the sauce; if the tomatoes taste a bit too tart, stir in a tiny pinch of sugar along with a pinch of salt and black pepper.

Step 4: Make it Creamy 🥛✨

1. Pour the heavy cream into the tomato sauce, stirring continuously. Watch the sauce magically transform into a beautiful, rich blush pink color!
2. Let the sauce simmer on low for another 2–3 minutes until it is heated through and begins to thicken nicely, exactly like the texture captured in .
3. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it is completely melted into the sauce.

Step 5: Toss and Serve 🍽️

1. Add your cooked, drained penne directly into the skillet with the sauce. Gently toss the pasta until every single piece is beautifully coated in the creamy pink sauce. (If the sauce feels too thick, splash in a little of your reserved pasta water).
2. Transfer the pasta to a warm serving bowl.
3. Garnish generously with freshly chopped basil leaves and an extra dusting of Parmesan cheese!