Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Parmesan Cheese
Published 7/14/2023 • Updated 8/24/2023
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Sun-dried tomato pasta is our go-to pasta when there’s “nothing to eat.” The sauce is made with sun dried tomato pesto, an entire pint of cherry tomatoes, garlic, and parmesan cheese.
Whenever I dread cooking dinner, I remember I always keep my fridge fully stocked with ingredients to make sun dried tomato pasta. Slow-cooking cherry tomatoes in olive oil and garlic is my secret weapon for pasta. And, when you add sun-dried tomato paste, it doesn’t get much better.
We enjoy parmesan cheese on top of pasta with sun dried tomatoes because the flavors really complement each other.
How to Make Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
- Cook pasta according to the package. Before straining, reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water.
- Add olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, and onion to the pan and cook over medium/high heat. Next, add in sun-dried tomato pesto (you can use your favorite kind) and continue cooking. Finally, add in the pasta water and heavy cream and stir.
- Finally, add in cooked noodles and parmesan cheese and give it a good mix. Let cook for a few minutes so that the cheese can melt.
- Serve immediately with fresh parsley and toasted pin nuts.
Featured Comment
I come back to this recipe again and again! We love it so much. We add in some spinach for an extra sprinkle of veggies too! – Rylea
Variations
Add ground meat: want something a little more hearty? Try adding ground Italian sausage or turkey sausage.
Use a different noodle: the world is your noodle. Choose whatever noodle you wish!
Skip the heavy cream: if you’re watching your cals, feel free to skip the heavy cream. It does add a richness that will be missed!
Tutorial
How to Thicken Pasta Sauce
No matter how closely you follow a recipe, sometimes you end up with a watery pasta sauce. Have no fear, it is very easy to thicken pasta sauce one of these 3 ways!
Storage
Store pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
To reheat: place pasta on a microwave-safe plate and cook on high for 60-90 seconds.
Serving Suggestions
Dinner wouldn’t be dinner without the sides! Start with an easy cheese plate (we’re a cheese site, this one is obvious!). Then serve this pasta next to a simple arugula salad and cheesy garlic bread.
Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 1.5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 8 oz. uncooked rigatoni pasta
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
- 1/4 medium yellow onion, sliced
- Pinch of salt
- 6.7 oz. sun-dried tomato pesto
- 1/3 cup pasta water
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 4 oz. shredded parmesan cheese, + more for topping
- Optional toppings: cracked pepper, parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and toasted pine nuts
Instructions
- Fill a large stockpot with 4 quarts of water. Add ½ tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add pasta. Cook pasta according to the pasta package. Make sure to save ⅓ cup of the pasta water for the sauce. Then, strain and set aside for later.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the olive oil is fragrant, add cherry tomatoes, garlic, onion, and a pinch of salt. Sauté over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, or until tomatoes begin to cook down.
- Turn heat down to low, add sundried tomato pesto and continue to cook down for 2-4 minutes over low heat.
- Add 1/3 cup of pasta water to the sauce and stir. Continue cooking for 2 minutes. Then, add heavy cream and stir again.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to combine. Finally, add shredded parmesan cheese to the pasta and mix. Let cook for 1-2 more minutes to melt the cheese.
- Serve immediately and top with fresh cracked pepper, parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and toasted pine nuts.
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Love this recipe! So easy to make and makes for good leftovers too!
I come back to this recipe again and again! We love it so much. We add in some spinach for an extra sprinkle of veggies too!
Oo amazing idea to stir in some spinach!
Can you use hamburger meat and sun-dried tomato pasta can you use hamburger meat and sun-dried tomato pasta
You sure can! just make sure to brown the meat separately before adding it into the final dish.