Weeknight • Pasta
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Prosciutto
A rich and savory pasta dish featuring a creamy tomato sauce studded with crispy prosciutto.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Indulge in a bowl of pure comfort! This Creamy Tomato Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto is surprisingly easy to whip up but tastes incredibly gourmet. The salty, crunchy prosciutto adds a delightful contrast to the silky tomato sauce, making every bite an absolute dream. It's truly a dish you'll want to make again and again.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 8 oz short pasta (such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- 4 slices prosciutto, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Preparation
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining thoroughly.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, crisp the prosciutto: Place prosciutto in a cold skillet (non-stick works best) over medium heat. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until crispy. Remove from skillet, break into pieces, and set aside.
Step 3
Add olive oil to the same skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Step 4
Pour in crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached. Serve immediately, topped with crispy prosciutto pieces and extra Parmesan and fresh basil, if desired.
Tips
- For a vegetarian version, omit the prosciutto and add a pinch of smoked paprika to the sauce.
- Sun-dried tomatoes (chopped) can be added with the crushed tomatoes for an extra layer of flavor.
- Any short pasta shape will work beautifully in this recipe.
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