Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce

Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce
Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce
A wonderful and easy to prepare pasta sauce that just bursts with layers of great tomato flavor. The recipe starts with an aromatic saute of onions, prosciutto, red pepper flakes and garlic. It then adds tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, and wine along with crushed tomatoes to create a sauce with great depth of flavor. Once the sauce has thickened, heavy cream, a bit of raw crushed tomatoes, a splash of wine and fresh chopped basil are added to finish the flavorful sauce. This isn't the quickest dish. Start to finish takes about an hour, and its multi-step processes require you to be in the kitchen or nearby for most of the cooking time. But it's amazing taste makes it well worth the time and effort spent.
  • Preparing Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Served Person: 4
best pasta light fall tomatoes saute parmesan basil heavy cream pasta tomato paste garlic salt bay leaf onion pork prosciutto easy simmer boil side dish sauces main dish italian unsalted butter red pepper flakes sun dried tomatoes jbgktnnpnlq vegetarian white meat free tree nut free nut free contains gluten contains red meat shellfish free contains pasta contains dairy
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 ounce prosciutto minced
  • 3/4 cup onion finely diced
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
  • 2 large cloves garlic minced or pressed through a garlic press
  • 2 ounces oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes drained, rinsed, patted dry, and coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or vermouth divided, plus 2 tbsp
  • 2 1/4 cups crushed tomatoes divided (i prefer organic tomatoes, either bottled or canned)
  • 1 pound pasta (such as ziti, penne, fusilli, or gemelli)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
  • parmigiano reggiano or pecorino romano cheese freshly grated - for serving
  • Carbohydrate 81.965083125 g
  • Cholesterol 254.79375 mg
  • Fat 69.689903125 g
  • Fiber 4.58493747860193 g
  • Protein 23.022535625 g
  • Saturated Fat 40.35418825 g
  • Serving Size 1 1 Serving (408g)
  • Sodium 714.120625 mg
  • Sugar 77.3801456463981 g
  • Trans Fat 5.67509262500001 g
  • Calories 1034 calories

Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add prosciutto, onion, bay leaf, pepper flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, uncovered, stirring often, until onion is soft and beginning to turn golden, about 8 to 12 minutes. Add garlic and cook until aromatic, about 1 minute. Increase heat to medium-high, add tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes and cook, stirring constantly, until slightly darkened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1/4 cup wine and cook, stirring often, until liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add 2 cups crushed tomatoes and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, stirring often, until sauce reduces and is thickened, about 25 to 30 minutes. While sauce simmers, bring 4 quarts water to the boil in a large pot, add 1 tablespoon salt, and drop in pasta all at once, and cook according to package directions or until al dente. Drain pasta in a colander, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water, and transfer back to cooking pot. When sauce has thickened, remove and discard bay leaf. Stir in cream, remaining 1/4 cup crushed tomatoes, and remaining 2 tablespoons wine, and cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Add sauce to cooked pasta and toss to combine, adjusting consistency with reserved pasta cooking water as necessary. Stir in basil. Serve immediately, passing freshly grated cheese separately.