01 -
Boil water in a large pot and season with salt. Cook the penne pasta until al dente, approximately 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
02 -
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
03 -
Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to enhance its flavor.
04 -
Pour the heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to combine. Simmer gently and season with red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
05 -
Add the cooked penne pasta into the skillet and toss to coat evenly. Adjust the sauce’s consistency with reserved pasta water, adding gradually as required.
06 -
Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
07 -
Serve the pasta warm, garnished with additional parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil.