Marry Me Pasta with Cream (Printable)

Velvety pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and parmesan in a rich, creamy sauce—ready in about 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 350 g (12 oz) pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)

→ Sauce

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 120 g (1/2 cup) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
05 - 250 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
06 - 60 ml (1/4 cup) vegetable broth
07 - 1 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1 tsp dried basil
09 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
10 - 50 g (1/2 cup) freshly grated parmesan cheese
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

12 - Fresh basil leaves, for serving
13 - Extra parmesan, for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain and set aside.
02 - Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes.
04 - Pour in the heavy cream and vegetable broth, then add the oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Add the parmesan cheese and stir until completely melted and the sauce thickens slightly, about 2–3 minutes.
06 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
07 - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss well to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra parmesan.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • If you ever craved a restaurant-worthy pasta but wanted it to come together in one pan, this is your secret weapon.
  • The sauce clings to every noodle, thanks to tips I wish someone told me years ago.
02 -
  • Neglecting to save the pasta water can mean a gluey, stodgy sauce—learned that mistake after a rushed weeknight dinner.
  • Letting the sauce simmer a little longer lets the flavors meld and the texture becomes silky, not runny.
03 -
  • Swirling the pasta right in the skillet with the sauce, instead of just pouring it on top, makes all the difference for absorbing flavor.
  • Use the best parmesan you can find—real Parmigiano-Reggiano makes the creaminess sing.
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