Italian pasta was actually invented in China around 100 BC—Marco Polo didn't bring it to Italy until 1295.
Easy Pasta Recipe
Whip up a delightful pasta dish that’s perfect for any night of the week! With just a handful of fresh tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and a sprinkle of basil, you'll create a flavorful meal in no time. Dive into this effortless recipe that proves delicious dining doesn’t have to be complicated!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(2)
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 large onion
🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- 1/4 cup light cream cheese (60 ml)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (sub any light cheese) (60 ml)any light cheese
🫙Pantry Staples(3)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (15 ml)
- 3/4 cup pasta water (180 ml)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (30 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- 1/2 tsp salt (2.5 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Chop onions and garlic.
- 2
On a medium heated pan add olive oil and combine onion and garlic cloves - cook until translucent.
- 3
Add tomato paste, cream cheese, cheese, salt, and pasta water.
- 4
Mix in cheese until well combined.
- 5
Toss in pasta and top with parsley and protein of choice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Salt your pasta water to 1-2% salinity (1 tablespoon per quart) because properly salted water seasons the pasta from within as starches absorb the seasoned water during cooking.technique1-2% salinity
- ✓Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining because the starch concentration (around 2-3%) acts as a natural emulsifier to bind oil and cheese into a silky sauce.technique2-3% starch concentration
- ✓Cook onions at medium-low heat (275-300°F surface temp) for 8-10 minutes to properly caramelize without burning, as onions release moisture and develop sweetness through Maillard reactions at this temperature range.timing275-300°F, 8-10 minutes
- ✓Add cream cheese to the pan off heat and whisk vigorously because temperatures above 180°F can cause dairy proteins to curdle and break the sauce.techniqueBelow 180°F
- ✓Finish pasta in the sauce pan for 1-2 minutes with pasta water to achieve proper mantecatura (the emulsion technique) where starch, fat, and cheese create a glossy coating that clings to each strand.timing1-2 minutes
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Italian pasta was actually invented in China around 100 BC—Marco Polo didn't bring it to Italy until 1295.
Easy Pasta Recipe
Whip up a delightful pasta dish that’s perfect for any night of the week! With just a handful of fresh tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and a sprinkle of basil, you'll create a flavorful meal in no time. Dive into this effortless recipe that proves delicious dining doesn’t have to be complicated!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(2)
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 large onion
🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- 1/4 cup light cream cheese (60 ml)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (sub any light cheese) (60 ml)any light cheese
🫙Pantry Staples(3)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (15 ml)
- 3/4 cup pasta water (180 ml)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (30 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- 1/2 tsp salt (2.5 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Chop onions and garlic.
- 2
On a medium heated pan add olive oil and combine onion and garlic cloves - cook until translucent.
- 3
Add tomato paste, cream cheese, cheese, salt, and pasta water.
- 4
Mix in cheese until well combined.
- 5
Toss in pasta and top with parsley and protein of choice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Salt your pasta water to 1-2% salinity (1 tablespoon per quart) because properly salted water seasons the pasta from within as starches absorb the seasoned water during cooking.technique1-2% salinity
- ✓Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining because the starch concentration (around 2-3%) acts as a natural emulsifier to bind oil and cheese into a silky sauce.technique2-3% starch concentration
- ✓Cook onions at medium-low heat (275-300°F surface temp) for 8-10 minutes to properly caramelize without burning, as onions release moisture and develop sweetness through Maillard reactions at this temperature range.timing275-300°F, 8-10 minutes
- ✓Add cream cheese to the pan off heat and whisk vigorously because temperatures above 180°F can cause dairy proteins to curdle and break the sauce.techniqueBelow 180°F
- ✓Finish pasta in the sauce pan for 1-2 minutes with pasta water to achieve proper mantecatura (the emulsion technique) where starch, fat, and cheese create a glossy coating that clings to each strand.timing1-2 minutes