Description
Indulgent garlic sun-dried tomato pasta promises a Mediterranean flavor explosion that whispers comfort and luxury. Italian-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, delivering a rich, creamy experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (fettuccine, penne, or favorite shape)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (from sun-dried tomato jar, if possible)
- 13 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)
- 12 cup heavy cream (or canned coconut milk for dairy-free)
- 12 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 cup pasta cooking water (reserved)
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 12 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt (for boiling water and seasoning)
- Pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, allowing it to reach a rolling boil. Submerge the pasta and cook until it achieves a perfectly tender yet firm texture, carefully preserving a portion of the starchy liquid before draining.
- Activate a skillet over medium heat, introducing olive oil as the foundation. Infuse the environment with minced garlic and a whisper of red pepper flakes, creating an aromatic landscape that develops complexity for approximately one minute.
- Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes into the fragrant base, allowing them to meld and release their concentrated essence for a brief interlude.
- Cascade heavy cream into the skillet, guiding the mixture to a gentle, undulating simmer. Introduce grated Parmesan, stirring continuously until the cheese dissolves into a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Transfer the cooked pasta directly into the sauce, choreographing a graceful toss that ensures each strand becomes lavishly coated. Calibrate the seasoning with judicious pinches of salt and pepper.
- Should the sauce require refinement, introduce reserved pasta water incrementally, creating a silken texture that clings seductively to the pasta.
- Conclude by adorning the dish with fresh basil leaves and an optional cascade of additional Parmesan, then serve immediately to capture the peak of flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Opt for fresh pasta to elevate the dish’s texture and absorb the creamy sauce more effectively.
- Use high-quality sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil for richer, more intense flavor profiles.
- Choose full-fat cream for a luxuriously smooth sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.
- Experiment with different pasta shapes like penne or fusilli to catch more sauce in their curves.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice levels, making the dish mild or fiery based on preference.
- Create a lighter version by substituting half-and-half or Greek yogurt for heavy cream.
- Toast garlic briefly to enhance its nutty undertones without risking bitter burnt notes.
- Transform into a vegetarian delight by adding roasted vegetables like zucchini or spinach.
- Elevate protein content by incorporating grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy pancetta.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container, gently reheating with a splash of pasta water to restore sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg