Blushing Penne Pasta

Blushing Penne Pasta is a simple yet sophisticated dish that combines the comforting heartiness of penne pasta with a luxurious tomato-cream sauce that earns its "blushing" hue. Infused with the bold flavors of garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and fresh basil, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between tangy crushed tomatoes and rich heavy cream, all elevated by a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, Blushing Penne Pasta is ideal for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for dinner parties. Serve it piping hot with extra Parmesan and fresh basil for a truly irresistible Italian-inspired meal that's sure to impress. Keywords: blushing penne pasta recipe, creamy tomato sauce, easy pasta dinner, garlic and basil pasta, Parmesan pasta recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 units garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 400 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 120 milliliters heavy cream
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 10 grams fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
• 3 liters water
• 1 tablespoons salt (for pasta water)

Directions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with 3 liters of water and bring it to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water.

Step 2

Add the penne pasta to the water and cook according to package instructions, typically around 10-12 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 3

While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the tomato sauce to thicken slightly.

Step 6

Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to create the creamy, 'blushing' sauce.

Step 7

Season the sauce with 1 teaspoon of salt and 0.5 teaspoons of black pepper. Stir well to combine.

Step 8

Drain the cooked pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.

Step 9

Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to the desired consistency.

Step 10

Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the pasta and stir until melted and incorporated.

Step 11

Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil over the pasta and toss gently to distribute.

Step 12

Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	4084.7 grams (4084.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2401

Total Fat 91.10g	117%
Saturated Fat 38.40g	192%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 170mg	57%
Sodium 10450mg	454%
Total Carbohydrate 320.40g	117%
Dietary Fiber 22.10g	79%
Total Sugars 16.70g
Protein 76.00g	152%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 864mg	66%
Iron 19mg	103%
Potassium 2208mg	47%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.1%

Protein: 12.6%

Carbs: 53.3%