Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Craving something creamy, tangy, and ridiculously simple? This sun-dried tomato pasta wraps all that goodness into one quick, soul-hugging dish. It’s the kind of cozy meal you’ll come back to when nothing else sounds quite as good. And yes, it’s just as dreamy as it sounds.

Close-up of creamy Tuscan chicken pasta with rigatoni, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese in a garlic cream sauce

Why You’ll Love This Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

This pasta is that magical mix of simple and sophisticated. You get the rich, creamy sauce laced with sun-dried tomato flavor in just about 30 minutes. It’s easy enough to whip up in your sweats on a Tuesday night. Plus, it’s vegetarian and packed with pantry staples. What’s not to love?

If you’re into comforting textures and rich Italian flavors, you’ll also want to check out this Creamy Chicken Lasagna Soup next.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pasta of choice (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine work beautifully)
Butter
Garlic
All-purpose flour
chicken broth
Dijon mustard
Lemon juice
Heavy cream
Sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for best flavor)
Freshly grated parmesan
Baby spinach
Salt and black pepper

Overhead view of labeled ingredients for Tuscan chicken pasta including rigatoni, spinach, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, garlic, butter, flour, white wine, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning.

Want a perfect side dish for this pasta? These Creamy Scalloped Potatoes are the creamy soulmate you’re looking for.

How to Make the Creamy Tomato Sauce

Start by melting butter in a large skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant. Stir in flour and whisk to make a light roux. Slowly pour in broth, whisking constantly. Add Dijon, a splash of lemon, salt, and pepper.

Let the sauce simmer and reduce for a few minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in heavy cream and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Let it bubble gently while the flavors marry. Right at the end, toss in grated parmesan and fresh spinach. Stir until the cheese melts and the greens wilt.

Cook the Pasta and Combine Everything

Boil your pasta in salted water until just al dente. Before draining, save a cup of pasta water. Toss the hot pasta right into your creamy sauce. Add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Give it a gentle toss until everything is coated in that velvety goodness. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Garlic and herbs sautéing in a white-handled cast iron skillet for creamy spinach pasta sauce

Tips for the Best Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Always grate your own parmesan. It melts so much better.
Let the broth reduce before adding cream for deeper flavor
Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for a more intense, rich taste
A bit of fresh basil or parsley adds brightness
Pasta shapes like rigatoni or penne hold onto the sauce best

Cooking creamy Tuscan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and adding cooked rigatoni pasta — Sun-dried tomatoes and cooked pasta being added to creamy garlic sauce in a cast iron skillet

Variations You Can Try

This recipe is super flexible. Stir in sautéed mushrooms for an earthy twist or toss in some grilled shrimp or chicken for extra protein. Not into cream? Use a dairy-free substitute or cashew cream instead. You can also swap sun-dried tomatoes for roasted red peppers if that’s what’s in your pantry.

Looking for a fun baked option? This Pumpkin Pasta Bake is another creamy, weeknight-friendly winner.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce. It doesn’t freeze well because of the dairy, but it reheats like a dream with just a little TLC.

Overhead view of creamy Tuscan rigatoni pasta in a skillet with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan cheese — A delicious and creamy Tuscan rigatoni pasta dish with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a garlic parmesan sauce

FAQs

Can I use regular tomatoes instead of sun-dried?

You can, but the flavor will be milder. Try roasting cherry tomatoes first to concentrate their sweetness.

Final Thoughts

Creamy, tangy, and ready in under an hour, this sun-dried tomato pasta checks every box for a feel-good dinner. You could pair it with a crusty garlic bread or even this Crusty Italian Bread for a full-on Italian night at home.

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