Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce (Print Version)

Sweet roasted garlic meets cream and tomatoes in this silky, aromatic Italian sauce perfect for any pasta.

# What to Use:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 large whole garlic bulbs
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

→ Dairy

05 - 1/4 cup heavy cream
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Pantry

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

# How to Prepare:

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. 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 roasted garlic creates a depth of flavor that feels gourmet but requires almost no active effort while it transforms in the oven.
  • Even garlic-hesitant friends have fallen for this sauce because roasting removes the sharpness while keeping all that beautiful flavor.
02 -
  • Never rush the garlic roasting process, as patience transforms it from sharp and aggressive to mellow and sweet, completely changing your sauce.
  • Adding the pasta directly to the sauce rather than placing sauce on top of pasta allows the noodles to absorb flavors and the starch to thicken everything perfectly.
03 -
  • When boiling your pasta, make the water as salty as the sea, this seasons the pasta from within and elevates the entire dish beyond what salt added later can achieve.
  • Finish cooking the pasta for the final minute in the sauce itself rather than in water, allowing it to absorb the flavors and create a more cohesive dish.
Go Back