This Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta is in regular rotation here. It is quick, easy, economical and delicious! It’s also very adaptable to variations, for an always-satisfying pasta dinner.

sun dried tomato pasta in white bowl with fork

Why you’ll love this easy sun-dried tomato pasta sauce!

  • This sun-dried tomato pasta is ready in about 30 minutes!
  • This meatless pasta dinner is an economical dish. Simply add a simple salad or some roasted vegetables to complete the meal.
  • That said, you can easily add cooked chicken or shrimp to add a protein, if you like.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Pasta – use any shape of pasta you have or enjoy. I’ve used Bucatini here.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes – this pasta works best with sun-dried tomatoes packed with oil. I usually start with a 210ml/4oz jar of sun-dried tomatoes in oil. I use all the sun-dried tomatoes and some of the oil, then refrigerate the remaining oil to use for other things like salad dressing, for example.

If you only have dry sun-dried tomatoes, be sure to rehydrate well and coat with a bit of olive oil before processing.

Basil – it’s hard to beat fresh basil in this pasta, but if you don’t have any on hand, dried basil is just fine.

Step-by-Step Photos

  1. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan and basil to a food processor.
  2. Blitz together into a paste.
  3. Saute garlic in olive oil in a skillet, then add the sun-dried tomato paste to the skillet.
  4. Boil pasta, scooping out some of the pasta cooking water to use for the sauce.
  5. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sun-dried tomato mixture.
  6. Add some of the pasta cooking water to the skillet to loosen the sauce.
  7. Drizzle with a bit of cream.
  8. Add more Parmesan and basil to the skillet.
  9. Warm and toss in the skillet, adding a bit more pasta cooking water, as needed.

Variations

  • Add a protein to this dish! The flavours here pair really well with cooked chicken or shrimp.
  • Simply add more or less cream or change the type of cream used, to dial this dish up or down.
sun dried tomato pasta in white bowl with fork

What to serve with sun-dried tomato pasta

It’s hard to beat a simple salad with pasta, though this dish would also be nice with any green vegetable.

Making ahead and storing

Pasta is generally best enjoyed freshly cooked. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.

sun-dried tomato pasta in bowl with fork

Get the Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

A quick, easy and delicious sun-dried tomato pasta, made easy with jarred sun-dried tomatoes that are blended up with basil and Parmesan cheese.
5 stars from 3 ratings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. pasta, 225g
  • 3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained, but reserving oil
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 6-8 leaves basil, or 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 Tablespoon tomato paste, optional
  • 2 teaspoons reserved sun dried tomato oil, or olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1 cup pasta boiling water, plus more as needed
  • 1 cup half and half cream (10% b.f.), or 1/3-1/2 cup heavy, whipping cream
  • 2-3 Tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • 2-3 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

To serve:

  • Additional fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Additional Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • Red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta in a large pot of well salted boiling water until al dente. DO NOT DRAIN before reserving about 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water.
  • While pasta is cooking, add the drained sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, basil leaves and tomato paste to a food processor. Process until the mixture is broken down into a mixture of small chunks.
  • In a skillet, heat a teaspoon or two of the reserved sun-dried tomato oil over medium heat. *You can refrigerate any remaining sun-dried tomato oil and use for other purposes, as well. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, if using and cook 45-60 seconds until fragrant. Do not brown. Add processed sun-dried tomato mixture and stir together with the garlic. Turn off heat under skillet until pasta is ready.
  • When pasta is ready, scoop out about 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water and set aside. Drain pasta and transfer pasta to skillet with sun-dried tomato mixture. Add 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and cook over medium heat until the sun-dried tomato mixture has loosened well. Add a bit more pasta cooking water, if needed. Add the cream and stir in. Cook to warm through. Add the basil and Parmesan cheese, along with some salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste.
  • Serve immediately garnished with additional fresh basil and shredded Parmesan.

Notes

You’ll find more tips on making this recipe above this Recipe Card, along with step-by-step photos that you might find useful. 
Cuisine: American, Canadian
Course: Pasta
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 406kcal, Carbohydrates: 52g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 377mg, Potassium: 652mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 798IU, Vitamin C: 27mg, Calcium: 273mg, Iron: 2mg
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