Marry Me Pasta Recipe
Introduction
Marry Me Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a special weeknight dinner or impressing guests. With sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and a hint of spice, this pasta is indulgent yet easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves of garlic, grated
- 2 cups light cream
- 1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes + 1 tablespoon oil from the jar
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (more if you want it spicy)
- 3/4 box thin linguini or other long noodles (about 3 cups dry if using short noodles)
- Reserved pasta water (about 1/4 cup)
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the sun-dried tomato paste by finely chopping the sun-dried tomatoes and blending them with 1 tablespoon of the oil from the jar until a coarse paste forms.
- Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the noodles.
- Step 3: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the grated garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, dried thyme, and chicken bouillon powder. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in the light cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes to slightly thicken.
- Step 5: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and finely chopped fresh basil. Simmer the sauce for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Add the cooked noodles to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by stirring in the reserved pasta water a little at a time.
- Step 7: Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken bouillon powder with vegetable bouillon.
- Add cooked chicken or sautéed mushrooms for extra protein.
- Use fresh sun-dried tomatoes for a more vibrant flavor or rehydrate dry ones in warm water before chopping.
- If you like it spicy, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
Storage
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce if it thickens.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can use any long noodles like spaghetti, fettuccine, or even short pasta like penne. If using short pasta, measure about 3 cups of dry noodles.
What can I substitute for chicken bouillon powder?
You can use vegetable bouillon powder for a vegetarian option or simply increase the salt slightly if you don’t have bouillon on hand.
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Marry Me Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Marry Me Pasta is a creamy, flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring a luscious sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cheese sauce, infused with garlic, herbs, and spices. This recipe is easy to prepare on the stovetop and combines tender linguini noodles with a rich, velvety sauce that is perfect for a romantic dinner or a comforting meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 3/4 box thin linguini or other long noodles (about 6 ounces)
- Salt, for boiling water
- Reserved pasta water (about 1/4 cup)
Sun-Dried Tomato Paste
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil)
- 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar
Sauce
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 cups light cream
- 1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for spiciness)
Instructions
- Making Sun-Dried Tomato Paste: Finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes and blend them together with 1 tablespoon of the oil from the jar until a coarse paste forms. This paste will impart a rich, tangy flavor to the sauce.
- Cooking Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguini and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the noodles thoroughly.
- Making the Sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the grated garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, dried thyme, and chicken bouillon powder. Sauté briefly until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the light cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Then add the grated Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and finely chopped fresh basil. Simmer the sauce gently, stirring often, until it thickens and becomes velvety. If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Combining and Serving: Add the cooked linguini directly into the sauce and toss well to coat all noodles evenly. Cook together for a minute to allow flavors to meld. Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use light cream for a rich but not overly heavy sauce. Half-and-half can be substituted but will yield a thinner sauce.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil provide the best flavor and texture; dry-packed can be used if rehydrated first.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control spiciness according to preference.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting the sauce’s consistency and helping it cling to the noodles.
- For a vegetarian version, replace chicken bouillon powder with vegetable bouillon powder.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Marry Me Pasta, creamy pasta, sun-dried tomato sauce, quick Italian dinner, linguini recipe, Parmesan pasta sauce, garlic cream pasta
