Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

1Cooking the Pasta 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta (8 oz) and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2Making the Creamy Tomato Sauce 2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil (1 tbsp) over medium heat. Add minced garlic (3 cloves) and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

3Pour in the diced tomatoes (1 can) with their juices and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly reduced.

4Stir in the heavy cream (1 cup) and Parmesan cheese (½ cup), season with salt and pepper, and cook for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.

5Add the cooked penne pasta (8 oz) to the creamy tomato sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly.

6Remove from heat and stir in the chopped basil leaves (¼ cup).

7Serve and Enjoy 7. Serve the creamy tomato basil pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese (½ cup) and basil leaves (¼ cup). Enjoy a comforting and flavorful pasta dish with a hint of basil freshness.