Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce (Printable Version)

Sweet roasted garlic blended into creamy sauce with tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan for comforting Italian pasta.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 large whole garlic bulbs
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)

→ Dairy

05 - 1/4 cup heavy cream
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)

→ Pantry

08 - 12 oz dried pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Slice the tops off the garlic bulbs to expose the cloves. Place each bulb on a piece of foil, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap tightly.
03 - Roast the garlic bulbs in the oven for 35–40 minutes until golden and soft. Allow to cool slightly.
04 - Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into a bowl and mash to a paste.
05 - Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
06 - In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
07 - Stir in the mashed roasted garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
08 - Add the diced tomatoes, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer for 8–10 minutes to blend flavors.
09 - Stir in the butter and cream. Simmer for 2 minutes, then add the Parmesan cheese.
10 - Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed for creaminess. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil and Parmesan.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasting process turns ordinary garlic into something extraordinary, creating a depth of flavor that will make people think you spent all day cooking.
  • It strikes that perfect balance between impressive and approachable, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions when you want to impress without stressing.
02 -
  • Dont rush the garlic roasting process, as those extra few minutes can make the difference between good and extraordinary flavor.
  • The starchy pasta water is actually a secret ingredient, helping the sauce cling to the pasta while adding silkiness without extra fat.
03 -
  • When selecting garlic bulbs, look for ones that feel heavy for their size with tight, papery skin, as these will have the plumpest, juiciest cloves.
  • Reserve more pasta water than you think youll need, as the sauce will continue to thicken as it sits, and you may want to loosen it slightly before serving.
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