Description
A delightful pasta dish featuring a rich, creamy sauce infused with tangy sun-dried tomatoes, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces pasta of your choice (e.g., penne, fettuccine)
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained and chopped)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1 cup cooked protein (e.g., chicken or shrimp)
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Remember to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until it becomes fragrant.
- Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2-3 minutes to release their flavor into the oil.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the heavy cream to the skillet. Stir well to combine and let it come to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese while stirring. Allow the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken over about 5 minutes.
- Add salt, black pepper, and fresh basil, stirring thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- If desired, fold in the cooked chicken or shrimp for added protein, mixing well.
- Remove from heat and serve hot, garnished with additional basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
You can adapt this recipe with different proteins or make it vegan by using coconut cream and nutritional yeast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg