Weeknights can be such a whirlwind, right? You’re rushing home, starving, and the last thing you want is a complicated cooking process. That’s exactly why I fell head over heels for this Delightful Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Recipe In 30 Minutes. Seriously, it’s my go-to when I need something absolutely delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Sun-dried tomatoes have this intense, slightly sweet, umami punch that just makes everything better. It feels fancy, but it’s so ridiculously easy – my kind of cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Delightful Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Recipe In 30 Minutes
This sun dried tomato pasta recipe is a total lifesaver! Here’s why it’s going to become your new weeknight hero:
- Speedy: Seriously, you can have dinner on the table in just 30 minutes. Perfect for those busy nights!
- Flavor-Packed: Those sun-dried tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and a hint of spice create a sauce that’s just bursting with flavor.
- Super Easy: Minimal chopping and simple steps mean even beginner cooks can nail it.
- Versatile: It’s delicious as is, or you can easily add protein or veggies to make it your own.
Gather Your Ingredients for Delightful Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
Alright, let’s get our ingredients ready for this amazing dish! It’s pretty straightforward, which is exactly what we want on a busy night. You’ll need about a pound of your favorite pasta – spaghetti, linguine, or even penne works beautifully. Then, we’ve got some glorious garlic, about four cloves, minced up nice and fine. The stars of the show are the sun-dried tomatoes, about half a cup, chopped. Make sure they’re the kind packed in oil, they just bring so much more flavor! We’ll also add a little pinch of red pepper flakes for a tiny kick, a half cup of veggie broth, some grated Parmesan cheese (about a quarter cup), and a couple of tablespoons of fresh basil, chopped. Don’t forget your salt and pepper to make everything sing!
Essential Equipment for Your 30-Minute Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
To whip up this delightful pasta in a flash, you don’t need a fancy kitchen! Just grab a big pot for boiling your pasta, a large skillet for building that amazing sauce, and a colander to drain everything. Oh, and a good knife and cutting board for chopping up that garlic and those gorgeous sun-dried tomatoes make life way easier. Don’t forget a measuring cup and measuring spoons, of course!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Delightful Sun Dried Tomato Pasta In 30 Minutes
Okay, time to get cooking! Making this Delightful Sun Dried Tomato Pasta In 30 Minutes is so straightforward, you’ll be amazed. First things first, get a big pot of water boiling for your pasta and cook it up according to the package. While that’s happily bubbling away, grab a large skillet. We’re going to start building our flavorful sauce!
- First, get your pasta cooking in that big pot. Make sure to add a good pinch of salt to the water! While the pasta is doing its thing, it’s sauce time.
- Pop your large skillet on the stove over medium heat and add about two tablespoons of olive oil. Let it get nice and warm. Then, toss in your minced garlic. You only want to cook this for about a minute, just until it smells amazing and fragrant – be careful not to let it burn!
- Next, stir in your chopped sun-dried tomatoes and those little red pepper flakes. Give it a good stir and let it cook for another couple of minutes. Those tomatoes will start to soften up and release all their yummy flavor.
- Now, pour in the vegetable broth. Give everything a good swirl and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let this bubble away for about five minutes. This is where the sauce really starts to come together and thicken up a bit.
- By now, your pasta should be perfectly cooked. Drain it, but here’s a crucial tip: save about half a cup of that starchy pasta water! This stuff is liquid gold for sauces. Add the drained pasta right into the skillet with your sauce.
- Toss everything together really well so every strand of pasta gets coated in that delicious, savory goodness. Stir in your grated Parmesan cheese and that fresh chopped basil. If the sauce looks a little too thick, just add a splash or two of that reserved pasta water until it reaches your perfect consistency. Trust me, this makes all the difference!
- Finally, give it a taste. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper until it’s just right for you. And there you have it – a gorgeous, flavorful pasta dish that tastes like it took way longer than 30 minutes! You’ve basically made magic, just like those delicious pasta dishes you dream about.
Tips for Success with Your Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
You know, a few little tricks can really elevate this pasta from good to *spectacular*. Make sure you’re using good quality sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil – they have so much more flavor than the dry ones, trust me! When you’re mincing the garlic, try to get it really fine so it doesn’t overpower the dish. And remember that pasta water? It’s not just for thinning the sauce; that little bit of starch helps everything bind together beautifully. Oh, and don’t be afraid to taste and adjust the seasonings at the end – that’s where the real magic happens to make it *your* perfect dish!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for This Quick Pasta
Okay, let’s talk ingredients! For those amazing sun-dried tomatoes, I really prefer the ones packed in oil – they’re way less work and have that intense, sweet-tart flavor that makes this dish so special. If you can only find dry ones, just give them a quick soak in warm water for about 10 minutes before chopping, easy peasy. For the broth, vegetable is great for keeping it vegetarian, but chicken broth adds an extra layer of savory goodness if you’re not worried about that. And fresh basil is really the best here, but if you’re totally out, a little dried basil (about a teaspoon) can work in a pinch!
Serving Suggestions for Your Delightful Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
This pasta is so robust on its own, but it’s even better when paired with a few delicious friends! A simple, crisp green salad tossed with my Ultimate Caesar Dressing is always a winner. Or, grab some crusty bread to soak up any extra sauce – my Garlic Parmesan Knots are *perfect* for this! You can also easily add grilled chicken or shrimp right into the pasta for a heartier meal.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This pasta is super forgiving. Let it cool down, then pop it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll be good for about 3-4 days, easy peasy. When you’re ready for round two, I find the best way to reheat is on the stovetop over low heat with a tiny splash of water or broth. This helps loosen everything up and keeps it from getting gummy. You can also zap it in the microwave, just stir it halfway through to make sure it heats evenly!
Frequently Asked Questions about Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
Got a burning question about this quick pasta dish? I’ve got you covered with some answers to common queries!
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Oh yes, absolutely! This sun dried tomato pasta recipe as written is totally vegetarian. We’re using vegetable broth and Parmesan cheese, so it’s perfect for meat-free dinners!
Can I add protein to this sun dried tomato pasta?
You bet! This recipe is super adaptable. Toss in some cooked chicken, shrimp, or even some white beans if you want to make it a heartier meal. Just add them in towards the end with the pasta!
What kind of pasta works best for this recipe?
Honestly, pretty much any pasta shape you love will work! I find that shapes with nooks and crannies like penne, fusilli, or even rigatoni are fantastic because they really catch that amazing sauce. But classic spaghetti or linguine are also delicious choices!
Estimated Nutritional Information
So, you’re curious about the deets? Based on the ingredients in this recipe, you’re looking at roughly 450 calories per serving. It’s got about 18g of fat, 15g of protein, and around 60g of carbs, with a good chunk of fiber too. The sodium is about 600mg. Keep in mind, these are just estimates, and the exact numbers can totally change depending on the pasta you use, the brand of sun-dried tomatoes, and how much cheese you sprinkle in. Enjoy it guilt-free!
Print
Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and flavorful pasta dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and basil. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth.
- Add cooked chicken or shrimp for a complete meal.
- A squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens the flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: sun dried tomato pasta, quick pasta recipe, 30 minute meal, vegetarian pasta, easy dinner