01 -
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne until it's just firm to the bite, around 10-12 minutes. Set aside 1 cup of the water, then drain.
02 -
In a big pan, warm up the olive oil on medium heat. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, keeping an eye on it until it smells delicious.
03 -
Drop the tomato paste into the skillet and stir it around for 2-3 minutes, letting the flavor become deeper.
04 -
Mix in the heavy cream while stirring. Let it gently simmer, then add red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to suit your taste.
05 -
Toss the drained penne into the sauce in your skillet. Stir well to coat it evenly, adding the saved pasta water a little at a time to get the sauce just right.
06 -
Sprinkle in the grated parmesan and keep stirring until it’s melted and blends smoothly into the sauce.
07 -
Dish out warm portions, and finish by sprinkling extra parmesan and fresh basil on top.