Marry Me Pasta Recipe: Creamy, Comforting, Made for Cozy Weeknights
This Marry Me Pasta is creamy, comforting, and easy enough for a casual weeknight dinner. It comes together quickly and uses simple ingredients, but still feels special when you want something cozy and satisfying.
This is one of those pastas I make when I want dinner to feel a little nicer on an ordinary night. I’ve made it plenty of times when I didn’t feel like planning much, and it always feels comforting and familiar.
The sauce stays silky and the sun-dried tomatoes add just enough richness to balance the cream. Marry me pasta is a great option when you want a quick dinner that feels complete on its own, with leftovers that reheat well the next day. This is the kind of recipe that earns a spot in the regular dinner rotation.
Marry Me Pasta
This Marry Me Pasta is a creamy pasta recipe with a smooth, comforting sauce and a satisfying texture. It’s simple enough for weeknight dinners but still feels special when you want something a little nicer at the table. A practical, repeatable pasta dish that works well for real-life cooking.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- Colander
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained and chopped
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated, plus more for serving
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped, plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking water as needed
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the penne until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30-45 seconds, just until fragrant. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the broth and heavy cream, and mix well to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until it is melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Use a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and fresh basil. Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan and basil.
Notes
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for the best flavor and texture. Dry-packed tomatoes will need rehydration and won’t give the same richness.
- Keep the heat low when adding Parmesan to prevent a grainy sauce.
- This pasta thickens as it sits. A small splash of cream, milk, or broth brings it back to a silky texture when reheating.
- Grilled chicken, shrimp, or rotisserie chicken can be stirred in for a heartier meal, but the pasta works well on its own.
More Vegetarian Dinner Ideas
- Homemade beet ravioli that looks like it came from a restaurant, but made right in your kitchen. Elegant, colorful, and filled with creamy goat cheese, the perfect dish when you want something a little special.
- Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, these halloumi burgers are an easy vegetarian favorite. Pan-fried golden and stacked high, they’re quick enough for a weeknight and satisfying enough for everyone at the table.
- Golden, creamy, and baked to perfection, this butternut squash mac and cheese is pure comfort in a dish. Cozy enough for fall evenings, simple enough for weeknights, and special enough for any holiday table.
- This pumpkin sage mac and cheese bake is an easy family dinner with warm flavors and a rich, baked finish. It holds up beautifully for meal prep, so you can enjoy it right away or reheat it during the week with the same steady, satisfying flavor.
- This one-pot broccoli cheddar soup is creamy, smooth, and deeply comforting, the kind of dinner that feels steady and familiar after a long day. It comes together into quickly and works just as well for quiet weeknights as it does for leftovers the next day.
