Description
Creamy Marry Me Pasta is a luscious Italian-American dish featuring al dente pasta enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. Perfect for a romantic dinner or an indulgent weeknight meal, this recipe balances bold flavors with a silky texture, ensuring it captivates hearts with every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Base
- 12 oz pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon butter
Garnish
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste with the garlic mixture and cook for 30 seconds to deepen its flavor.
- Create the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken or vegetable broth. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer the sauce: Let the sauce simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until it thickens slightly, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish the sauce: Add the butter to the skillet and stir until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce, giving it a silky texture.
- Toss with pasta: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Final simmer: Allow the pasta and sauce to simmer together for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to meld the flavors and warm the pasta through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley, and serve the pasta warm for the best experience.
Notes
- For added protein, top with grilled chicken, shrimp, or pan-seared salmon.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter, lower-fat version.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the level of spiciness according to your preference.
