Table of Contents
Introduction
Try this amazing Marry Me Pasta! It features a super creamy, flavorful sauce with sundried tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese coating tender pasta. People say it’s so good, it earned its name! This dish feels special but cooks fast for any weeknight. We use simple steps and easy-to-find ingredients, perfect even for new cooks. Get ready to fall in love with this easy recipe – it’s sure to be a family hit. Let’s start cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of sundried tomatoes, garlic, herbs, cream, and Parmesan creates a rich, savory, slightly tangy sauce that’s truly addictive.
- Super Creamy Texture: Heavy cream and Parmesan cheese melt together into a luxurious sauce that coats every strand of pasta.
- Quick and Easy: This impressive meal comes together in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses mostly pantry staples and easily found items. No complex techniques required!
- Crowd-Pleasing: Its rich flavor and comforting nature appeal to almost everyone, making it great for family dinners or casual gatherings.
- Customizable: Easily add chicken, shrimp, or vegetables to make it your own.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Marry Me Pasta:
Pasta: 1 pound (450g) dried pasta (Fettuccine, Linguine, Rigatoni, or Penne work well)
Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Garlic: 4-5 cloves garlic, minced (about 1.5 tablespoons)
Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
- Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup (120ml) low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
- Heavy Cream: 1 1/2 cups (360ml) heavy cream
- Sundried Tomatoes: 1/2 cup oil-packed sundried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- Parmesan Cheese: 3/4 cup (about 75g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt: To taste (for pasta water and sauce)
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh Basil: 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, for garnish (optional but recommended)
(Optional Protein Addition):
- Chicken: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (if making Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe)
- Butter: 1 tablespoon butter (for cooking chicken)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect Marry Me Pasta every time:
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (cooked through but still firm to the bite). Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta well using a colander. Do not rinse the pasta.
- (Optional – Cook Chicken): If adding chicken for a Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Do not wipe out the skillet.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the remaining 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to the same skillet used for the chicken (or a clean one if not using chicken) and heat over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 30-60 seconds until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Deglaze and Start Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth (or vegetable broth). Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to lift any browned bits (flavor!). Bring the broth to a simmer and let it cook for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Cream and Tomatoes: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and the chopped sundried tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer (do not boil rapidly).
- Melt the Cheese: Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce. Continue to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Season: Taste the sauce and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Remember the Parmesan adds saltiness.
- Combine: Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. If you cooked chicken, add it back to the skillet now. Toss everything together gently until the pasta (and chicken) is fully coated in the creamy sauce.
- Adjust Consistency: If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. The starch in the pasta water helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Divide the Marry Me Pasta among serving bowls. Garnish generously with chopped fresh basil and extra grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Marry Me Pasta is a satisfying meal on its own, but these additions make it even better:
- Bread: Serve with warm crusty bread or garlic bread to soak up every last bit of the delicious creamy sauce.
- Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a fresh contrast to the rich pasta. A Caesar salad also pairs nicely.
- Vegetables: Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans add color and nutrients. Sautéed spinach or mushrooms can also be stirred directly into the pasta dish during the final steps.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The base recipe without added meat is already vegetarian. You could also add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted bell peppers for extra veggies.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, just substitute your favorite gluten-free pasta variety. Cook according to its package directions and ensure your broth is certified gluten-free if needed.
Can I use a different type of cream?
Heavy cream provides the richest flavor and thickest consistency without curdling easily. You can try half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be thinner, and you risk curdling if the heat is too high. If using a lower-fat option, be very gentle with the heat and consider adding a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water) to help thicken it.
What kind of sundried tomatoes should I use?
Oil-packed sundried tomatoes are generally preferred for this recipe as they are softer and more flavorful. Drain them well before chopping and adding to the sauce. If you only have dry-packed sundried tomatoes, rehydrate them in hot water or broth for about 10-15 minutes before using.
Can I make Marry Me Pasta ahead of time?
Pasta dishes with cream sauces are best enjoyed fresh, as the sauce can thicken considerably and the pasta can become mushy upon reheating. If you must make it ahead, slightly undercook the pasta. Store the sauce and pasta separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the sauce gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen it, then add the pasta and toss until heated through.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftover Marry Me Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk, cream, or broth to restore the creamy consistency as it heats. You can also microwave leftovers, stirring occasionally, but stovetop reheating yields better results for creamy sauces.
Can I add other proteins besides chicken?
Yes! Cooked shrimp, Italian sausage (removed from casings and browned), or even meatballs would be delicious additions. Add cooked shrimp towards the very end just to heat through. Brown sausage similarly to the chicken instructions.
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate only, calculated using an online nutrition calculator. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients, brands, and portion sizes used.
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving (assuming 4 servings, no added chicken):
Calories: Approx. 750-850 kcal
Protein: Approx. 20-25g
Fat: Approx. 45-55g (Saturated Fat: Approx. 25-30g)
Carbohydrates: Approx. 65-75g
Fiber: Approx. 4-6g
Sodium: Approx. 600-800mg (highly dependent on broth and added salt)
(Note: Adding 1 pound of chicken breast will significantly increase the protein content per serving and slightly alter other values.)
Recipe Tips for Success
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Grate your own Parmesan from a block for the best creamy sauce texture.
Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook pasta al dente. It will continue to cook slightly when tossed with the hot sauce. Mushy pasta is undesirable.
Reserve Pasta Water: This starchy water is liquid gold! It helps emulsify the sauce, making it creamier, and allows you to adjust the consistency without diluting the flavor.
Control the Heat: Sauté garlic briefly until fragrant, but don’t let it burn, which makes it bitter. Simmer the cream sauce gently; boiling it too vigorously can cause it to separate or curdle.
Use Oil-Packed Sundried Tomatoes: They blend better into the sauce and offer more flavor than dry-packed varieties. Chop them finely so the flavor distributes evenly.
Taste and Adjust: Always taste your sauce before serving. Adjust salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to your preference. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end can brighten the flavors if desired.
Fresh Basil Matters: While optional, adding fresh basil at the end provides a wonderful fresh aroma and flavor contrast to the rich sauce. Dried basil doesn’t have the same effect here.
Don’t Rinse the Pasta: Rinsing removes the surface starch that helps the sauce cling beautifully to the pasta strands. Just drain it well.
Conclusion
This Marry Me Pasta recipe is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. Its creamy texture, rich sun-dried tomato and garlic flavor, and surprising simplicity make it a standout dish perfect for any occasion – from a quick weeknight dinner to a special date night. The ease of preparation means you get maximum flavor impact with minimal kitchen stress. Whether you make the classic version or add chicken for a heartier Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe, you’re bound to fall in love with this dish.
For further inspiration and variations on this delightful dish, consider exploring these resources:
Golden Grace Kitchen’s Marry Me Pasta showcases a hearty dish with mushrooms, spinach, and a tomato cream sauce.
The Recipe Critic’s Marry Me Chicken Pasta offers a flavorful take on the classic recipe, featuring tender chicken pieces in a creamy garlic sundried tomato sauce.
Salt & Lavender’s Marry Me Chicken Pasta provides a rich and creamy version with sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning.