Cheesecake Factory Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe

Cooking Cheesecake Factory tomato basil pasta at home is easy and delicious! You'll need a few simple ingredients and about 30 minutes of your time to make this dish. But before we dive into the recipe, here's a little secret: the sauce is the key to making this pasta taste just like it does at the restaurant. So, are you ready to learn the secret to the perfect tomato basil pasta? Keep reading to find out!

• Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the sauce. They will give the sauce a great balance of sweetness and acidity.

• Don't skimp on the basil; it gives the sauce its bright, herby flavor to the sauce.

• Cook the pasta to al dente to ensure it doesn't turn mushy when you toss it with the sauce.

Jump to:

• An overview:
• Why you'll love this recipe:
• Ingredients you'll need:
• Steps for cooking the perfect penne pasta:
• Step-by-step instructions for tomato basil sauce:
• Substitutes for any hard-to-find ingredients
• How about the variations?
• Tips for achieving the perfect texture and flavor:
• What side dishes and drinks complement this pasta dish?
• Full Recipe

An overview:

The Cheesecake Factory's Tomato Basil Pasta is a delicious and hearty dish that features tender penne pasta in a flavorful tomato basil sauce. Fresh basil leaves are sautéed with garlic and diced tomatoes and then simmered with heavy cream and parmesan cheese to create a rich and savory sauce. The pasta is then tossed with the sauce, and topped with more parmesan cheese and fresh basil, making a satisfying and comforting meal. This dish is perfect for pasta lovers and those looking for a delicious and flavorful option.

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Why you'll love this recipe:

• This recipe is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a comforting meal.
• The sauce is rich and creamy, made with heavy cream, parmesan cheese, basil, parsley, tomatoes, and pesto oil. The perfect balance of flavors and spices will satisfy your taste buds.
• The marinated chicken cutlets are tender and juicy, adding a great source of protein to the dish.
• The penne pasta is a great choice as it holds the sauce perfectly.
• The pesto oil adds a burst of freshness and flavor to the dish.
• It's a perfect dish to make for special occasions or to impress your friends and family. It's easy to make and a dish everyone will love.
• It's a versatile dish that can be easily customized to your liking.
• The leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it a great meal prep option.

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Ingredients you'll need:

• 1 lb penne pasta

For the tomato basil sauce:

• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Onions: 1 medium, diced
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
• Whole grape tomatoes: 3 to 4 cups
• Basil: ½ cup, chopped
• Salt and pepper: To taste
• Heavy cream or cream cheese (optional): ½ cup

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Extra ingredients that can be added (optional):

• diced chicken, shrimp, or sausage
• red pepper flakes for some heat
• different herbs like oregano or thyme
• a tablespoon of tomato paste for a thicker sauce
• a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to add depth of flavor

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Best topping options:

Many toppings can be added to the Cheesecake Factory's Tomato Basil Penne Pasta to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish. Here are some of the best toppings to consider:

• Basil pesto: The pesto will add a nice herby and nutty flavor to the dish and contrast the acidity of the tomatoes in the sauce.
• Grated Parmesan cheese: This will add a touch of sharpness and depth to the overall taste.
• Fresh Mozzarella cheese: It will give an extra creamy and tangy flavor to the dish, and it will also provide a nice contrast to the rich and savory sauce.
• Crushed red pepper flakes: Adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes will give the dish a nice kick of heat.
• Chopped fresh parsley: This will add a nice freshness and green color to the dish.
• Toasted pine nuts or almonds add a nice nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
• Crispy bacon or prosciutto will add a nice smoky and salty flavor and a nice contrast to the creamy and rich sauce.

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To make basil pesto, you will need the following:

• ½ cup basil leaves
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves of garlic
• ¼ cup pine nuts
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions for making basil pesto:

1. Rinse the basil leaves and dry them.
2. Combine the basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
3. Slowly pour in the olive oil while the food processor is running.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Once the sauce is done, spoon it over the pasta and toss it well.
6. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

List of ingredients for making a delicious tomato basil sauce:

• Olive oil: This is used as the base for sautéing the onions and garlic. Olive oil is a healthy and flavorful oil that provides a nice balance of richness and acidity to the sauce.
• Onions: They are sautéed in olive oil to add a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce.
• Garlic: Minced garlic is added to the sauce to give it a nice garlic flavor and a bit of a kick. Garlic is also known for its medicinal properties and can enhance any dish.
• Tomatoes: Fresh, ripe tomatoes are the star of this sauce. They are the base of the sauce and contribute to its sweetness and acidity. If you don't have fresh tomatoes, you can use canned tomatoes, but make sure to use the best quality you can find.
• Basil: Fresh basil is added to the sauce for a nice hit of freshness and flavor. The basil provides a great contrast to the sweetness of the tomatoes and gives the sauce a bright, fresh flavor.
• Salt and pepper: These seasonings are added to taste to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Heavy cream or cream cheese (optional): Adding cream or cream cheese to the sauce will make it richer and creamier, giving the sauce a velvety texture.

Steps for cooking the perfect penne pasta:

Step 1

Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Make sure you use enough water to cover the pasta completely.

Step 2

Once the water is boiling, add 1 tablespoon of salt and stir it in. The salt will enhance the flavor of the pasta.

Step 3

Slowly add the penne pasta to the boiling water, stirring gently to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Cook the pasta for 8-10 minutes or until it's al dente (cooked through but still firm to the bite).

Step 4

While the pasta is cooking, prepare a colander or a strainer to drain it when done. Once the pasta is cooked, transfer it to the colander with a slotted spoon. Shake the colander gently to remove any excess water from the pasta.

Step 5

Place the cooked pasta back into the pot and add your desired sauce. Toss the pasta and the sauce together to coat the pasta evenly. Serve the pasta hot, and enjoy!

Step-by-step instructions for tomato basil sauce:

Making the best tomato basil sauce is all about using fresh, high-quality ingredients and allowing the flavors to develop over time. Here's how to make it:

Step 1

Start by heating a large saucepan over medium heat. Add some olive oil, and diced onions, and sauté until the onions are translucent. Next, add minced garlic and cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant.

Step 2

Add diced tomatoes and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to cook for 10-15 minutes until the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce has thickened.

Step 3

Stir in some fresh basil leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add some heavy cream or cream cheese for a richer and creamier sauce.

Step 4

Once the sauce is ready, remove it from the heat and add it to the pasta. Another option is to let the sauce cool down, blend it in a blender, or use a hand-held immersion blender to make a creamy sauce.

Step 5

For a final touch, top the pasta with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and some fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, or oregano. Serve it over your pasta, and enjoy!

Substitutes for any hard-to-find ingredients

Here are some substitutes for some of the hard-to-find ingredients in the Cheesecake Factory's Tomato Basil Pasta recipe:

• Penne pasta: The ridges on the penne particularly excel at trapping sauce in all the little lines, while the tube shape of the pasta allows the sauce to fill the middle and create a delicious, well-coated dish. This is why penne is perfect for simple sauces.

Note: If you cannot find spaghetti or angel hair pasta, you can use other types of pasta, such as fettuccine, linguine, spaghetti, or angel hair pasta.

• Heavy cream: If you cannot find heavy cream, you can use other types of cream, such as sour cream or crème Fraiche, or non-dairy milk, like soy milk or coconut milk.
• Parmesan cheese: If you cannot find Parmesan cheese, you can use other hard, salty cheese types such as Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano.
• Fresh basil: If you cannot find fresh basil, use dried basil or other herbs, such as oregano or thyme.

How about the variations?

Here are some variations to the Cheesecake Factory's Tomato Basil Pasta recipe that you can try:

• Vegan: To make a vegan version of the dish, you can use vegan-friendly pasta, and instead of heavy cream, you can use coconut milk, almond milk, or soy milk. For the cheese, you can use vegan parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast.
• Gluten-free: To make a gluten-free version, you can use gluten-free pasta and ensure all the other ingredients are gluten-free.
• Meatless: To make a meatless version, you can skip adding chicken, shrimp, or sausage and add more vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms.
• Low-carb: You can use low-carb pasta such as zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash to make a low-carb version.
• Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or diced fresh chili to the sauce while it simmers to make a spicy version.
• Mediterranean: To make a Mediterranean version, add olives, capers, and anchovies to the sauce while it is simmering, and finish the dish with a sprinkle of feta cheese.

These are just a few ideas. You can experiment and develop variations based on your taste and preference.

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Tips for achieving the perfect texture and flavor:

• Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the sauce. The sweetness and acidity of fresh tomatoes will give the sauce a great balance of flavor.
• Don't skimp on the basil. Fresh basil gives the sauce its bright, herby flavor, so use enough.
• Cook the pasta to al dente. Cooking the pasta until it's firm to the bite will ensure it doesn't turn mushy or overcooked when you toss it with the sauce.
• Add salt and pepper to taste. Seasoning the sauce with salt and pepper will bring out the flavors of the other ingredients and make the sauce taste more delicious.
• Use high-quality cream or cream cheese. Adding cream or cream cheese to the sauce will make it richer and creamier, giving it a velvety texture.
• Don't overcook the pasta; it will turn mushy and affect the texture of the final dish.
• Drain the pasta well, preventing the pasta from being too watery.
• Use parmesan cheese as a topping for the final dish. It will add a touch of sharpness and depth to the overall taste.
• When you add fresh mozzarella cheese to the dish, it will melt and turn gooey, creating a nice contrast with the al-dente texture of the pasta. The cheese will also add a new layer of flavor to the dish, making it more delicious and appealing.

Read:

• How Long is Pasta Good For?

How to Store and Use Leftover Cooked Pasta

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What side dishes and drinks complement this pasta dish?

Complementing Cheesecake Factory Tomato Basil Penne Pasta with the right side dishes and drinks can elevate your dining experience to the next level. Here are some suggestions on how to do it:

• Serve a Caesar or a mixed green salad as a side dish. The crispness and freshness of the greens will balance the richness of the pasta and the sauce, adding some fiber to your meal. Recipe here.
• Offer some garlic bread or focaccia as a side dish. The garlicky and buttery flavor of the bread will complement the flavors of the pasta and the sauce, and it will make the dish more satisfying. Garlic bread recipe here.
• Pair your pasta with a glass of red wine. A medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Pinot Noir will complement the pasta and sauce flavors, adding a touch of elegance to your meal.
• Offer some bruschetta as an appetizer. Combining fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic on top of toasted bread will prepare your taste buds for the pasta and the sauce, making the dish more enjoyable.
• Olives: A bowl of mixed olives will add a touch of saltiness and a nice briny flavor to the dish.
• Cocktails: A classic Margarita or a refreshing Spritz cocktail will provide a nice contrast to the richness of the dish, and it will refresh your palate.
• If you're looking for something non-alcoholic, try a glass of iced tea or sparkling water with a slice of lemon. The acidity and effervescence of the drinks will refresh your palate and balance the flavors of the pasta and the sauce.

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Full Recipe