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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy sun-dried tomato pesto pasta recipe that combines rich, tangy sun-dried tomatoes with fresh basil and a smooth cream sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) penne or fusilli pasta
  • 1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (preferably packed in oil)
  • 1 cup fresh basil, loosely packed and chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup small-curd cottage cheese, drained
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) of penne and cook according to package instructions (usually 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining and set pasta aside.
  2. In a food processor, combine 1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 1 cup fresh basil, 3 minced garlic cloves, ¼ cup toasted pine nuts, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Pulse until finely chopped but still a bit chunky. If the mixture is too thick, drizzle in a little more olive oil.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the sun-dried tomato pesto mixture and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in ½ cup cottage cheese and ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream, stirring gently to combine. Cook for 4-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
  4. Add ½ cup grated parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using.
  5. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time if the sauce seems too thick or dry. The sauce should cling smoothly to every piece of pasta.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with extra basil leaves and a sprinkle of parmesan. Serve hot.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Add cream gradually and avoid boiling vigorously to prevent curdling. Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning. Fresh basil is key for bright flavor. Cottage cheese adds creaminess without heaviness. Al dente pasta holds sauce better.

Nutrition

Keywords: sun-dried tomato pesto pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, basil pesto, comfort food, penne pasta, fusilli pasta

Find it online: https://grubella.com/creamy-sun-dried-tomato-pesto-pasta-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner-idea/