Creamy Tuscan Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
A restaurant-quality pasta dish with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a velvety cream sauce that comes together in 20 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 22 minutes pairs penne pasta, drained sun-dried tomatoes in oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1/4 cup, drained sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced fresh basil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add penne and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add drained sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic, sautéing for 2 minutes until garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Pour in white wine and simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half, then stir in heavy cream. Cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Add cooked penne to the skillet, tossing to coat. Stir in 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce, then add basil, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Toss until cheese melts and sauce emulsifies into a glossy coating.
- Step 5: Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and basil for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Tuscan Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Tuscan Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Tuscan Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Tuscan Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Creamy Tuscan Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 12-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
