Description

Marry Me Pasta is a creamy, dreamy, meatless pasta that wraps you in comfort. With light cream, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil, it’s rich, flavorful, and quick to make. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, a cozy date night, or impressing friends—this dish proves simple ingredients can create something truly special.

Ingredients

Scale

1½ Tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, grated
2 cups light cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes + 1 Tbsp oil from the jar
1 Tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped
2 tsp chicken bouillon powder (or vegetable bouillon for vegetarian)
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for heat)
About ¾ box thin linguine (or ~3 cups dry short pasta)
Reserved pasta cooking water

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Instructions

Make Sun-Dried Tomato Paste: Finely chop sun-dried tomatoes and blend with 1 Tbsp oil from the jar into a coarse paste. (Or chop well by hand if no blender.)
Cook Pasta: In salted boiling water, cook linguine until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
Start Sauce: Melt butter in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add grated garlic, red pepper flakes, dried thyme, and bouillon powder. Sauté 1 minute—do not brown garlic.
Add Cream: Pour in light cream. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring, without boiling.
Build Flavor: Stir in Parmesan, tomato paste, basil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Simmer 5–7 minutes, stirring. Thin with reserved pasta water if too thick. Spoon off any excess oil.
Combine & Serve: Toss cooked pasta in sauce off the heat. Serve with extra Parmesan.

Notes

Use vegetable bouillon for a fully vegetarian version.

Don’t rush the simmer—gentle heat prevents the cream from breaking.

Reserve pasta water; its starch helps bind sauce and pasta.

Freshly grated Parmesan gives a richer flavor.

Use quality sun-dried tomatoes in oil for the best taste.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American Fusion