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.
