Description
A creamy and flavorful roasted garlic pasta sauce combining sweet roasted garlic, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese, paired perfectly with tender pasta to create a satisfying Italian-inspired vegetarian dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 3 large whole garlic bulbs
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
Dairy
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
Pantry
- 12 oz dried pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Roast Garlic: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice the tops off the garlic bulbs to expose the cloves, place each bulb on foil, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap tightly. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes until golden and soft. Let cool slightly.
- Mash Roasted Garlic: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into a bowl and mash into a smooth paste using a spoon or fork.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in the mashed roasted garlic paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the diced tomatoes, chopped basil, salt, black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet. Simmer the mixture gently for 8 to 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Incorporate Dairy: Stir in the unsalted butter and heavy cream, letting the sauce simmer for 2 minutes. Then add the grated Parmesan cheese and mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, adding the reserved pasta water gradually to adjust the sauce consistency to your desired creaminess.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Roasting the garlic brings out a sweet, mellow flavor that enhances the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to help adjust the sauce consistency and ensure it clings well to the pasta.
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor; dried basil will not provide the same freshness.
- Optional crushed red pepper flakes add a nice mild heat but can be omitted for a milder taste.
- This sauce pairs well with spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine.
