Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta offers a luscious and flavorful meal combining al dente pasta with a rich, garlicky sun-dried tomato cream sauce, finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this dish balances savory and creamy textures in every bite.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or fusilli works best)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (from sun-dried tomatoes jar or extra virgin)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes to release their flavor.
- Add Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy tomato sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Add Parmesan and Season: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
- Serve: Plate the creamy sun-dried tomato pasta immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired for added flavor.
Notes
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for richer flavor; if using dry-packed, rehydrate in warm water.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the sauce will be less thick.
- Fresh basil or parsley makes a great garnish to add freshness.
Keywords: Creamy sun-dried tomato pasta, easy pasta recipe, garlic cream sauce pasta, Italian pasta dish
