Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta (Printable)

A smooth blend of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cream, and Parmesan tossed with penne and fresh basil.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni
02 - Salt, for pasta water

→ Sauce

03 - 2 tbsp olive oil (preferably from sun-dried tomato jar)
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup (150 g) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
06 - 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
07 - 3/4 cup (200 ml) heavy cream
08 - 1/2 cup (60 g) grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1/4 cup (60 ml) reserved pasta cooking water
10 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
11 - Salt, to taste

→ Garnish

12 - 1 handful fresh basil leaves, torn
13 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes to meld flavors.
04 - Reduce heat to low. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Simmer for 2 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
05 - Add cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat pasta evenly.
06 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan over pasta and toss again until the sauce becomes creamy and clings well.
07 - Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Remove from heat and serve immediately garnished with torn basil leaves and extra Parmesan.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like you fussed over dinner for hours when you actually just stayed in the kitchen.
  • The sun-dried tomatoes do all the flavor work—no need for canned tomatoes or long simmering.
  • There's something about cream and Parmesan together that makes ordinary pasta feel like a small celebration.
02 -
  • That reserved pasta water is non-negotiable—it's the difference between a sauce that coats and a sauce that slides right off.
  • If your cream breaks or looks separated, a splash of that pasta water mixed in while stirring gently will usually bring it back together.
03 -
  • If you're making this for guests and worried about timing, you can prepare everything ahead except the cream—combine the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and pasta water, then finish with cream and cheese right before serving.
  • A splash of dry white wine stirred in with the cream adds another layer of brightness, though it's delicious without it too.
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