Description
Enjoy a creamy and spicy pasta dish featuring heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and sautéed vegetables, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or cozy gathering. Customize it with your choice of protein for added flavor and satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Optional: 1 cup cooked chicken or shrimp for added protein
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- Once cooked, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat for about 1 minute.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Add the diced bell pepper and cook for another 3-4 minutes until tender.
- Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine.
- Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and creamy. If too thick, add reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting spiciness with more red pepper flakes if desired.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat with the sauce.
- If using, add cooked chicken or shrimp and stir to combine and heat through.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Remove the skillet from heat and serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
- For an extra touch, sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken or shrimp and add more vegetables like spinach or zucchini.
- Adjust the spiciness by varying the amount of red pepper flakes or adding hot sauce.
- Experiment with different pasta types, such as whole wheat or gluten-free.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based alternative.
- Taste the sauce before serving to ensure seasoning is just right.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes