Creamy Tomato Pasta

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup pasta
• 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 pound paccheri pasta

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until they begin to burst, about 5-7 minutes.
4. While tomatoes are cooking, boil paccheri pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
5. Transfer cooked tomatoes to a blender. Add reserved pasta water, heavy cream, and chili flakes. Blend until smooth.
6. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Discard solids.
7. Pour the strained sauce back into the pan and heat gently.
8. Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
9. Stir in grated parmesan cheese.
10. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
11. Serve immediately.