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Creamy One-Pot Sundried Tomato Basil Pasta

creamy one-pot sundried tomato basil pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pot pasta dish combining sundried tomatoes, fresh basil, and a naturally creamy sauce made without heavy cream. Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s perfect for cozy weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces dry pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
  • ½ cup chopped sundried tomatoes (oil-packed or dry-packed)
  • ½ cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 cup half-and-half or milk (can substitute dairy-free milk)
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: splash of lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet or wide saucepan over medium heat until shimmering.
  2. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add chopped sundried tomatoes and stir for 30 seconds to release flavor.
  4. Pour in 3 cups broth and bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Add dry pasta, ensuring noodles are submerged as much as possible.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, for 10-12 minutes until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Add more broth or water if liquid evaporates too quickly.
  7. Stir in 1 cup half-and-half or milk and heat through for 2-3 minutes without boiling.
  8. Remove from heat and mix in ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan and chopped fresh basil until cheese melts and basil is evenly distributed.
  9. Season with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes or lemon juice to taste.
  10. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Stir frequently during cooking to prevent pasta from sticking and ensure even cooking. If sauce is too thick at the end, add a splash more broth or milk to loosen. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor. You can substitute gluten-free pasta and dairy-free milk and cheese to make this recipe gluten-free and vegan. Adding proteins like cooked chicken or shrimp or veggies like spinach or mushrooms can customize the dish.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot pasta, sundried tomato pasta, basil pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/creamy-one-pot-sundried-tomato-basil-pasta-recipe-easy-20-minute-dinner/