Description
This Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta is creamy, garlicky, and packed with Parmesan! A quick 25-minute meal perfect for busy weeknights or special dinners!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni)
- 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)
For the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (from sun-dried tomatoes jar for extra flavor)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ½ cup (120g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup (120ml) reserved pasta water (as needed)
For Garnishing & Serving:
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Cracked black pepper
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Sauté Garlic & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce
- Reduce heat to low and pour in heavy cream.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
4. Combine Pasta & Sauce
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
5. Garnish & Serve
- Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil.
- Serve hot with extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper on top.
Notes
✔ Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes – They have more flavor than dry-packed ones.
✔ Save pasta water – Helps adjust the sauce consistency.
✔ Let the sauce simmer – This enhances the flavors and thickens the sauce.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: DINNER
- Cuisine: AMERICAN
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450