Ingredients

Scale

(Serves 4)

Pasta & veggies:

12 oz spaghetti or penne (or chickpea/gluten-free pasta for high-protein/GF)
2 tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional—you love subtle heat!)

Creamy basil sauce:

¾ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (use reduced-sodium—you love low-sodium options!)
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish—you love herb freshness!)
2 tbsp cream cheese, softened (you love cream cheese!)
Salt & black pepper

Optional boosts (you’ll love these!):

High-protein: ½ cup white beans or grilled chicken (+7g protein/serving)
Extra richness: 1 tbsp butter stirred in at the end

Instructions

1. Cook pasta:

Cook pasta according to package; reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.

2. Sauté tomatoes:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add cherry tomatoes; sauté 5–6 minutes until blistered and juicy.

3. Make creamy sauce:

Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, cream cheese, and basil. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.

4. Finish & serve:

Add drained pasta and ½ cup pasta water; toss to coat. Add more water as needed for silkiness. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with extra basil.

💡 Pro Tips for Perfection:
✅ Use peak-season tomatoes—ripe = maximum sweetness and juiciness.
✅ Low-sodium mastery (you love this!):
→ Use reduced-sodium Parmesan + skip added salt
→ Boost umami with 1 tsp nutritional yeast + extra garlic
✅ Blood sugar friendly (you love this!):
→ Use chickpea or lentil pasta (+25g protein/serving!)
→ Add 1 tbsp chia seeds at the end for fiber + glycemic control
✅ Low-carb/keto option (you love this!):
→ Swap pasta for 16 oz hearts of palm pasta or spiralized zucchini
→ Simmer uncovered 5–7 minutes to reduce liquid
→ Net carbs drop from 42g → 10g/serving
✅ Make ahead: Best served fresh, but keeps 2 days refrigerated (reheat gently with splash of broth).

Storage & Serving Ideas

→ Fridge life: 2 days | Freezer: Not recommended (cream sauce may separate)
→ Serving ideas:
→ With grilled shrimp or salmon
→ As a standalone light summer dinner
→ Topped with fried egg for extra protein

Prep Time & Nutrition (per serving):