Sun Dried Tomato Creamy Pasta Recipe

Emily MorganPosted on February 21, 2026

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Some recipes just feel like a warm hug. For me, this classic Sun Dried Tomato Creamy Pasta is one of them. It’s the kind of meal that fills the kitchen with a smell that feels like home. It’s rich, it’s comforting, and it always makes everyone at the table happy. If you love this flavor profile, you might also enjoy our Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce.

I remember my grandmother making something similar. She didn’t call it a savory sauce, she’d just say the pasta was “dressed proper.” Her version was simple, born from what was in the pantry. This recipe takes me right back to her kitchen, with the steam fogging up the window and the sound of a wooden spoon against her old pot.

It’s a dish that proves you don’t need fancy things to make something wonderful. With a few humble ingredients, you can create a bowl of pure comfort. Let’s make it together.

Recipe Overview

Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Category: Main Course
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

The Story Behind This Classic Recipe

This dish is a love letter to the Italian pantry. Sun-dried tomatoes were a way to preserve summer’s bounty. They pack a powerful, sweet-tart punch that fresh tomatoes just can’t match.

My grandma would use them sparingly, a precious jar saved for special Sunday suppers. She’d pair them with cream, a luxury in her time, to make a sauce that felt celebratory. It was her go-to for feeding a crowd with warmth and love.

That’s the spirit I keep in my kitchen today. It’s a recipe built on tradition, not trends. Every time I make it, I feel that connection to the past.

What Makes This the Traditional Way

The traditional way is all about balance and patience. You’re not just making a sauce; you’re building layers of flavor. It starts with blooming the garlic and tomato paste in good olive oil.

This step is non-negotiable. It cooks out the raw taste and makes the flavors sweet and deep. Using the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar is another old trick. That oil is liquid gold, infused with tomato essence.

Finally, we finish with fresh basil. It’s that bright, herbal note that cuts through the rich cream. It makes the whole dish sing.

The Classic Ingredients (No Fancy Stuff!)

Here’s what you’ll need. I promise there’s nothing here you can’t find at a regular grocery store. Simple food is the best food.

12 oz bow tie pasta (farfalle)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 (8.5 oz) jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained (oil reserved)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make It Just Like Grandma Did

Follow these steps and you’ll have a perfect, creamy pasta. It comes together in the time it takes to boil water and cook the noodles. Let’s get started.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bow tie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of the reserved sun-dried tomato oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant. This builds the flavor base.
Chop the drained sun-dried tomatoes. Add them to the skillet and stir to combine.
Pour in the broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Then, stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
Reduce the heat to low. Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
Add the cooked, drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Turn off the heat. Tear in the fresh basil leaves and give it one final toss. Season with salt and plenty of black pepper.

My Tips for Perfecting This Classic

A couple of small things can make a big difference. They’re the secrets my grandma taught me without ever writing them down.

First, always save your pasta water. That starchy liquid is magic. It helps the tomato cream sauce cling to every noodle. Add it a little at a time until the consistency is just right.

Second, don’t skip the fresh basil. Add it at the very end, off the heat. This keeps its color bright and its flavor vibrant. It’s the final, fresh touch that makes the dish.

How to Store and Enjoy Later

This pasta is best enjoyed fresh. But if you have leftovers, let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

The sauce will thicken as it chills. Reheat it gently in a skillet with a little extra broth or cream. Stir it often to bring back that creamy texture.

I don’t recommend freezing this one. The cream sauce can separate when thawed. It’s a dish meant to be shared right away.

Nutrition Notes

This is a rich, comforting dish. Here’s a basic look at what’s in a serving. As always, this is just an estimate.

Calories: ~650
Protein: 22g
Carbohydrates: 75g
Fat: 30g
Fiber: 5g

Your Questions About This Classic Recipe

Here are answers to a few common questions I get about this family favorite.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prep the sauce ahead! Make the sauce through step 5, then let it cool. Store it in the fridge for up to a day. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce, finish with cheese and pasta, and add the fresh basil.

What can I use instead of heavy cream?

For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half. The sauce won’t be quite as rich, but it will still be delicious. I don’t recommend milk, as it can curdle when heated with the tomato paste.

Is this one of your easy vegetarian recipes?

Absolutely! Just make sure to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. With the Parmesan cheese, it’s a vegetarian dish that’s full of satisfying, savory flavor.

I hope this recipe finds its way to your table on a busy weeknight or a lazy Sunday. It’s a bowl of pure comfort that never lets me down. The combination of sweet tomatoes, rich cream, and fragrant basil is simply timeless. For another comforting main course that uses sun-dried tomatoes in a delicious way, try our Creamy Tuscan Stuffed Chicken.

It’s more than just dinner. It’s a feeling. It’s the joy of cooking something you know will make people smile. I hope this brings as much comfort to your home as it does to mine.

Let me know your own memories of this dish in the comments below! Did you make any fun twists? I’d love to hear how it turned out for you.

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