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Creamy Pesto Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

creamy pesto pasta with sun-dried tomatoes - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy pesto pasta featuring sun-dried tomatoes and a silky sauce made with cream cheese or cottage cheese, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute cravings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • ½ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil, drained slightly)
  • ½ cup cream cheese or small-curd cottage cheese, softened
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz of fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes to warm through.
  3. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in ½ cup softened cream cheese or blended cottage cheese and ⅓ cup heavy cream. Stir constantly until cheese melts and sauce is smooth. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if sauce is too thick.
  4. Mix in ½ cup basil pesto and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust consistency with pasta water as needed.
  5. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss with the sauce until every strand is coated. Heat together for 1-2 minutes to absorb flavors.
  6. Remove from heat. Tear fresh basil leaves over the pasta and serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Reserve pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency and keep it silky. Use small-curd cottage cheese blended smooth for a lighter sauce or cream cheese for richness. Avoid overheating pesto to maintain fresh flavor. For vegan version, substitute dairy ingredients with vegan alternatives and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy pesto pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, creamy sauce, basil pesto, comfort food

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/creamy-pesto-pasta-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-easy-homemade-recipe/