This Sun Dried Tomato Pasta is made with sun dried tomatoes, herbs, cream, and parmesan. This creamy and flavorful pasta dish is ready in just 20 minutes!
Love sun dried tomatoes? Try this Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake, this One Pan Tuscan Orzo with Chicken or this Sun Dried Tomato and Spinach Orzo recipe!
Table of Contents
Any 20 minute pasta recipe is one I can get behind, and this Sun Dried Tomato Pasta is a new favorite (along with this Creamy Gemelli Pasta!).
This recipe is made with whatever pasta shape your heart desires tossed in a rich, perfectly seasoned creamy parmesan cheese sauce. I love to use these little shellbows or lumaconi because they hold that creamy sauce so perfectly!
Since this recipe uses only a few ingredients, be sure to use the best ingredients you have: your favorite pasta brand, fresh garlic, freshly grated Parmesan, heavy cream, the whole shebang.
Serve this pasta as a vegetarian entree or as a side dish next to your favorite protein. It pairs perfectly with Air Fryer Chicken Breast, Easy Roasted Pork Tenderloin or toss in some Homemade Meatballs if you have a stash in the freezer.
Add some Homemade Breadsticks and Roasted Green Beans for a well rounded meal!
Ingredients Needed:
- Pasta: any kind of pasta will work. Just use your favorite shape! I love to use shellbows or lumaconi — something that will hold the sauce well.
- Oil: I like to use the oil from the jar of sun dried tomatoes (it adds so much flavor!), but olive oil would work as well.
- Sun Dried Tomatoes: use jarred sun dried tomatoes packed in oil. Be sure to remove them from the oil before chopping.
- Garlic: fresh garlic is best!
- Seasonings: we’re using a blend of Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Flour: whisked into the sauce to help thicken it.
- Broth: chicken or veggie broth both work great.
- Cream: any kind of cream will work, but a higher fat cream will add more richness.
- Parmesan: I recommend freshly shredded parmesan for the best texture.
- Reserved Pasta Water: don’t forget to save some of the pasta water. We’re whisking it into the sauce to help it come together.
How to Make Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta in a pot of salted, boiling water according to package directions. Drain, but reserve 1 cup of the water.
- While the pasta cooks, make the sauce: In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat, then add sun dried tomatoes and seasonings. Cook, then stir in flour, broth, and cream. Cook until thickened.
- Combine and serve: Add the pasta and parmesan to the skillet and toss to coat. Add a splash of pasta water at a time to thin the sauce as needed, then serve and enjoy.
Sun Dried Tomato Pasta FAQs
Any kind you like! Literally anything goes for this recipe. Try a shorter pasta shape like farfalle or penne OR use a longer pasta shape like spaghetti or linguine. You really can’t go wrong.
Leftover Sun Dried Tomato Pasta will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, warm on low on the stove with a splash of broth to thin if needed.
You can also freeze this pasta for up to 3 months. To serve, I recommend thawing overnight in the fridge and reheating with a splash of water or cream for best results.
Variations
- Add veggies. Sauté any veggies you like in the skillet before you add the sauce. This dish would be delicious with spinach, asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli florets, you name it.
- Make it meaty. Add to the meal by mixing in your favorite protein. Try cooked chicken, shrimp, Italian sausage, ground beef, ground turkey, or cooked and crumbled bacon.
- Make it cheesier. Mix any cheese you like straight into the pasta OR make it into a baked pasta! To do baked pasta, transfer the finished pasta to a baking dish. Layer it with cheese (I like mozzarella), then broil for a couple of minutes in the oven until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
Serving Suggestions
This Sun Dried Tomato Pasta works great as a main dish or as a side dish!
Serve it as a main dish with a side of Air Fryer Broccoli, Green Beans with Bacon, Roasted Mixed Veggies, or Garlic Bread.
Alternatively, serve it as a side dish next to Baked Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Tilapia, or Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breasts.
More Creamy Pasta Recipes
Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 225 grams pasta (any kind — about ½ pound) I used lumaconi
- 1 tablespoon oil from sun dried tomatoes
- ½ cup sun dried tomatoes (drained, chopped)
- 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic (4-5 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- ½ cup cream (any kind – heavier cream will create a richer sauce)
- 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan
- reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add sun dried tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and red pepper flakes. Cook 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in flour and cook until no white remains.
- Add broth and cream and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened.
- Add drained pasta and Parmesan to sauce and toss to coat, adding in as much reserved pasta water is needed to to thin the sauce as desired. Serve.
Notes
- Add veggies. Sauté any veggies you like in the skillet before you add the sauce. This dish would be delicious with spinach, asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli florets, you name it.
- Make it meaty. Add to the meal by mixing in your favorite protein. Try cooked chicken, shrimp, Italian sausage, ground beef, ground turkey, or cooked and crumbled bacon.
- Make it cheesier. Mix any cheese you like straight into the pasta OR make it into a baked pasta! To do baked pasta, transfer the finished pasta to a baking dish. Layer it with cheese (I like mozzarella), then broil for a couple of minutes in the oven until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
Nutrition Information
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Chris Craig says
Made this on Friday night, it was delicious! I added mushrooms as well. Just had it for lunch as a left over and added grilled chicken, so good!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Chris! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Melissa says
This is my new favorite pasta recipe 😍 it is sooo good and comes together so easily. I added some bacon crumbles to it which was delish but this can stand on its own without any meat or veggie add-ins too. Love it!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Melissa! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Mia says
SUN DRIED TOMATOE PASTA.
OMG! THIS WAS JUST GORGEOUS! Everyone loved it.
I got Vegatarian hard cheese in Waitrose and used a veg stock cube. Thanks a million for the recipe!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Mia! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!