Description
This Sun Dried Tomato Pasta is a flavorful and vibrant dish combining the rich depth of sun-dried tomatoes with fresh cherry tomatoes and aromatic basil. Perfectly cooked pasta is tossed in a savory olive oil and garlic sauce, enhanced with optional red pepper flakes for a touch of heat and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a bright hint of lemon juice. A quick and easy recipe that brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your favorite type)
Sauce
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in olive oil)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Topping
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Begin by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil, then add the pasta. Cook until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare Sauce Base: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add the sun-dried tomatoes along with any oil they were packed in to the skillet. Stir to combine and allow the tomatoes to soften.
- Add Heat and Fresh Tomatoes: If using, sprinkle in the red pepper flakes and mix well. Then add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for about 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add it directly to the skillet with the sun-dried tomato mixture. Toss everything together over low heat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Finish with Herbs and Seasoning: Stir in the chopped basil and season the pasta with salt and black pepper to taste. If desired, add a splash of lemon juice. Toss everything together one last time to combine flavors.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately. If using, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top for added creaminess and flavor.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed, making the sauce silky and cling to the pasta better.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil add richness and depth; if using dry-packed, rehydrate them in warm water before use.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a lovely creamy and salty layer to the dish.
- Adjust red pepper flakes quantity based on desired spiciness or omit if you prefer no heat.
- Lemon juice brightens the overall flavor and balances the richness of the sun-dried tomatoes and olive oil.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad and a glass of light white wine.
