Description

Mouthwatering Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta delivers a rich and velvety sauce made from succulent tomatoes, roasted garlic, and plant-based cheese, combined with smoky turkey bacon and tender pasta for a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Base

2 cups sun-ripened or canned whole tomatoes
4 garlic cloves, roasted or sautéed
1 medium yellow or sweet onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 splash apple cider vinegar (natural)
1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
1 cup shredded plant-based cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Protein & Add-ins

4 ounces smoky turkey bacon, diced
Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (about 2 tablespoons)

Pasta

8 ounces linguine, fettuccine, or penne pasta of choice (gluten-free if needed)

Instructions

Prepare the Aromatics: Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onions until translucent and tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Cook the Smoky Turkey Bacon: Push the onion and garlic to the side in the same skillet. Add the diced turkey bacon and cook until crispy and golden. Then mix everything together to combine the smoky aroma with the sautéed aromatics.
Build the Tomato Sauce: Add the whole tomatoes to the skillet, crushing them gently with a spoon. Pour in a splash of apple cider vinegar (natural) and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors deeply.
Blend in the Creaminess: Sprinkle in the natural gelling agent while stirring to thicken the sauce lightly. Add the shredded plant-based cheese and stir constantly as it melts into the warm sauce, creating a luscious creamy finish.
Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta in a pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water. Fold the pasta gently into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the mixture.
Final Touches: Stir in the chopped fresh basil or parsley for brightness. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let everything sit covered off the heat for a couple of minutes to marry the flavors beautifully before serving.

Notes

Use ripe tomatoes or a trusted brand of canned tomatoes for the richest sauce.
Allow the sauce to simmer gently to deepen garlic and tomato flavors.
Cook pasta al dente to maintain a slight bite that complements the creamy sauce.
Reserve some pasta water to help emulsify and perfect the sauce’s texture.
Adjust seasoning carefully by adding salt and acidic ingredients little by little, tasting as you go.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: International

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 18g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: creamy tomato pasta, garlic pasta, plant-based cheese pasta, turkey bacon pasta, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, gluten-free pasta, comfort food pasta