Description
Indulgent sun-dried tomato garlic pasta brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Creamy sauce, aromatic herbs, and rich ingredients combine for a comforting meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) pasta (fettuccine, penne, or favorite shape)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream (or canned coconut milk for dairy-free)
- ½ cup pasta cooking water (reserved)
- ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil (from sun-dried tomato jar, if possible)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt (for boiling water and seasoning)
- Pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving a cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium flame. Sauté minced garlic and red pepper flakes for one minute, releasing their intense fragrance and creating a flavor base.
- Tomato Integration: Fold sun-dried tomatoes into the skillet, allowing them to soften and infuse the developing sauce with their concentrated, tangy essence.
- Sauce Development: Pour heavy cream into the skillet, guiding it to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until the sauce transforms into a smooth, creamy emulsion.
- Pasta Fusion: Introduce the cooked pasta directly into the sauce, tossing meticulously to ensure complete and even coating. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the overall flavor profile.
- Texture Refinement: Modify sauce consistency by gradually incorporating reserved pasta water, creating a silky, clinging sauce that embraces each pasta strand.
- Final Presentation: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and an optional sprinkle of Parmesan. Serve immediately to capture the dish’s peak temperature and flavor intensity.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining, as it’s the secret weapon for creating a silky, perfectly balanced sauce that clings beautifully to noodles.
- Garlic Precision: Mince garlic finely and avoid burning by cooking it briefly over medium heat, ensuring a fragrant base without bitter undertones that can ruin the dish’s delicate flavor profile.
- Cream Control: Use room temperature heavy cream to prevent curdling and ensure a smooth, luxurious sauce that integrates seamlessly with Parmesan and other ingredients.
- Dietary Flexibility: For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt, and use gluten-free pasta to accommodate various dietary needs without compromising the dish’s rich, creamy essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 45mg