Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Recipe

On busy weeknights, it’s important to have a quick dish you can whip up for your family that you know they’ll love. This creamy sun-dried tomato pasta checks all the boxes! It only takes 20 minutes from start to finish, there are no complicated ingredients, and it is all made in one pot. The sun-dried tomatoes add a tart brightness to an otherwise rich dish. This is not your average pasta meal!

What do I need to make this sun dried tomato pasta dish?

To make this sun-dried tomato pasta recipe, you’ll need:

• Sun-dried tomatoes—these can be canned in oil, or dried
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Minced garlic cloves
• Salt and pepper
• Whole milk
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil
• Red pepper flakes
• Bow tie pasta

If you’re having a hard time finding some of these ingredients fresh, don’t worry too much. You can use canned grated Parmesan cheese in place of the freshly grated in a 1:1 ratio. You can also substitute two tablespoons of dried basil for the ½ cup of fresh chopped basil. The flavor will stay the same—but you may notice a difference in the intensity and freshness of the recipe if you make these substitutions.

How do you soften dried tomatoes?

If you dehydrated your own tomatoes or otherwise have some dried, sun-dried tomatoes at home, you’ll need to soften them before using them in this recipe. You can do this in one of two ways. The most common way to rehydrate sun-dried tomatoes is to put them in a bowl, pour boiling water over them, and let them sit for half an hour to an hour.

You could also soften them on the stovetop by cooking them in olive oil. Using 1/3 cup of oil, cook your sun-dried tomatoes over medium heat alongside your minced garlic—step two of this recipe—until the tomatoes have softened. I find that rehydrating my dried tomatoes this way gives them a lot more flavor!

How do you make a creamy sun-dried tomato pasta sauce?

This recipe is creamy and filling—and it doesn’t take a lot of effort and time to make. There are really only a handful of steps, making it ideal for busy weeknights where you want good food without a lot of fuss.

1. First, drain the sun-dried tomatoes—if you used tomatoes canned in oil—and give them a rough chop.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat, then add the tomatoes. After sautéing the tomatoes for a few minutes, add in the garlic and sauté for a minute, or until the garlic is fragrant.
3. Add in your liquids, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil.
4. Once boiling, add in your dry noodles. Cover and simmer for seven to eight minutes.

I have the pasta sauce…now what?

One of my favorite things about this sun-dried tomato pasta recipe is that it’s a one-pot meal. That means fewer dishes for me, making this dinner even better for busy school nights. After you’ve made your sauce, the pasta cooks right in the sauce! This adds a richness to the recipe that you don’t get by cooking the pasta separately in boiling water.

1. After your sauce has come to a boil, add in the dry noodles. Cover and cook for seven to eight minutes.
2. Once the pasta is al dente, add the grated parmesan and the remaining milk. Stir until it’s smooth and creamy.
3. Remove the sun-dried tomato pasta from the heat and stir in the red pepper flakes and chopped basil.
4. Sprinkle on some additional parmesan with a pinch of salt, parsley, or even some cooked bacon if desired!

What should I serve with sun-dried tomato pasta?

This sun-dried tomato pasta recipe will taste delicious with just about any of your favorite side dishes. If you’re looking for a few ideas, here are some sides that I found pair particularly well with this creamy pasta dish.

• Homemade Garlic Bread
• Baked Chicken Meatballs or Vegan Meatballs
• Oven Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
• Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

How do I store the leftovers?

You can store leftover sun-dried tomato pasta in an airtight container in the fridge. Stored correctly, it’ll last two to three days. After this point, the noodles might become a little mushy, so it’s best to eat it as soon as you can.