Creamy Cavatelli Pasta in Tomato and Red Wine Sauce

Ingredients

- 12 oz Cavatelli pasta
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup Dry red wine
- 28 oz can Pureed or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- Fresh parsley leaves, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the cavatelli pasta and cook according to package instructions, approximately 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.

2. Prepare Sauce Base: In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

3. Cook Garlic and Spices: Add minced garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir constantly for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the tomato paste darkens slightly.

4. Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry red wine, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cook on medium-high heat until the wine reduces by half, about 3-4 minutes.

5. Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Stir in the pureed or crushed tomatoes and sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and let it cook for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.

6. Incorporate Cream and Cheese: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring the sauce. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, continuing to stir until well combined and creamy. Season with Kosher salt and black pepper to taste.

7. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked cavatelli and reserved pasta water to the sauce. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated. Adjust seasoning if needed.

8. Garnish and Serve: Transfer the pasta to a serving dish, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and serve warm.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT15M
15 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT40M
40 minutes

Total Time

PT55M
55 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Italian pasta, creamy sauce, stove-cooked, tomato and wine, quick dinner, family meal, gourmet pasta, comforting, easy pasta recipe, tomato cream sauce

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 1940

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