Creamy tomato pasta

Ingredients

• 250g pasta of choice
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 tbsp freshly minced garlic
• 1/2 onion, thinly diced
• 4 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cup unsweetened heavy cream
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning — 1 tbsp chopped parsley, for garnish
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning — 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain. In a pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
2. Add diced onion and cook until translucent.
3. Add tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Deglaze the pan with a splash of water, scraping up any browned bits. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning and red chili flakes.
4. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Bring mixture to a simmer.
5. Reduce heat to low and add cheddar and parmesan cheese. Stir until melted and smooth. Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to combine. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water.
6. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.