Marry me pasta is a sun dried tomato and parmesan cheese laced dish with tender spaghetti coated in a rich, creamy and garlicy sauce for a truly crowd pleasing dinner.
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
Marry Me Pasta is the kind of dish that feels effortless to put together but packs so much delicious flavor. The creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic come together in a rich, luxurious combo that tastes like a restaurant meal made right at home. It's comforting yet impressive and simple enough for a weeknight but special enough to serve for any occasion. This pasta will make anyone fall in love at first bite.
I've had other versions of Marry Me Pasta and this one truly is the best. Its creamy, garlicky and packed with flavor without being heavy. The sauce is perfectly balanced so it's silky and full of depth, with just the right pop from the sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan. If you've never made this before, its the one you want to start with for sure. Just trust me, my version will become your new go-to. It's simple, cozy, and absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients
Here is the list of all the ingredients need to make this delicious marry me pasta recipe. For a full list of ingredients including measurements, please see the recipe card below.
- Spaghetti- This is the perfect pasta shape to choose for this kind of sauce. It clings to every strand beautifully.
- Pasta Water- Save a ladle of the water that the pasta is boiling in before you strain it. It adds a lot of salty, starchy goodness that loosens the sauce without making it watery.
- Olive oil- Brings out the natural sweetness of the garlic and onions when its sauteeing.
- Butter- Adds a silky richness to the sauce.
- Onion- White or yellow onion would both be ok to use for this recipe.
- Garlic- Use chopped, jarred or garlic paste.
- Tomato Paste- Deepens the sauce and adds lots of rich tomato flavoring.
- Flour- Thickens the sauce perfectly.
- Chicken Broth- Use low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth here if you'd like to.
- Heavy Cream- Makes it super silky, creamy and cuts the acidity of the tomato past.
- Basil- Brings a bright, aeromatic freshness to the sauce.
- Sun Dried Tomatoes (plus some oil from the jar)- Adds a sweet and savory tomato flavor to the whole dish.
- Parmesan Cheese- Adds a salty, nutty and flavor boosting richness to the sauce.
- Seasoning- Salt enhances all the ingredients. Black Pepper cuts the richness of the sauce. Garlic Powder disperse a delicious, garlicy flavor thought the dish. And Italian Seasoning adds the perfect blend of Italian herbs and seasonings.
How To Make It
First, heat the oil in a large pan and add the chopped onion and garlic. Lightly season it with salt, pepper and 1 Tbs of Italian seasoning. Saute until the vegetables are soft.
Pro Tip: Adding the Italian seasoning now lets the dry herbs really bloom and infuses into the oil for lots of flavor throughout the sauce.
Note: If you like a little heat to your dishes, add some crushed pepper flakes now, too.
Now, add the butter and stir it until it melts. Stir in the tomato paste for 1 minute then add the flour. Stir the flour into the sauce for 2 minutes.
Note: Make sure to let the flour cook out for the whole 2 minutes or the sauce will taste raw and pasty.
Next, stir in the chicken stock and heavy cream. Season the sauce with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Pro Tip: If the heavy cream is coming straight out of the fridge, place it into a microwavable safe container and into the microwave for about 15-30 seconds to take the chill off. It will incorporate into the sauce much better. The same can be done for the chicken broth.
Then, add the sun-dried tomatoes and a little bit of the oil from their jar. Stir in the shredded basil and Parmesan cheese. Taste the sauce now and re season it if it needs it.
Finally, add a ladle of the pasta water and the cooked spaghetti. Toss the pasta into the sauce until it’s evenly coated. Serve warm and enjoy!
Pro Tip: Pasta water is starchy and salty and really assists in helping the sauce stick to the spaghetti.
What To Serve This With
This marry me pasta would be the perfect side dish to compliment something like Chicken Cutlets or Classic Meatballs. Add some Homemade Garlic Bread and a big side salad would be great additions to this also.
Can A Protein Be Added
Yes, a protein can absolutely be added to this pasta for a hearty and complete meal. Cooked chicken, shrimp, sausage, meatballs or salmon would all be wonderful additions.
How To Store It
Let the pasta cool completely then place it into an air tight container. It will last in the fridge for up to three days.
Featured Products
Shop all of the products featured in this recipe tutorial on my Amazon Store. Here are just a few that I love:
- Caraway Skillet- The best non stick and oven safe cookware around in my opinion.
- Storage Containers- These are my favorite! They’re BPA Free and come with air tight lids. They're freezer safe, too.
- Microplane- Stainless steel, dishwasher safe and perfect for grating hard cheeses and garlic for this recipe
Marry Me Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Spaghetti, cooked plus a ladle of the pasta water
- 2 Tbs Olive Oil
- 1 Small Onion, chopped
- 4 Cloves Garlic, chopped
- 2 Tbs Italian Seasoning (divided)
- 2 Tbs Tomato Paste
- 2 Tbs Butter
- 2 Tbs Flour
- ½ Cup Chicken Broth
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- ¼ Cup Sun Dried Tomatoes, chopped plus 1 Tbs of oil from the jar
- ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese
- 3 Tbs Fresh Basil, shredded
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 Tbs Garlic Powder
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan and add the chopped onion and garlic. Lightly season it with salt, pepper and 1 Tbs of Italian seasoning. Saute until the vegetables are soft.
- Add the butter and stir it in until it melts. Stir in the tomato paste for 1 minute then add the flour. Stir the flour into the sauce for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken stock and heavy cream. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and oil from their jar. Stir in the shredded basil and Parmesan cheese. Taste the sauce now and re season it if it needs it.
- Add a ladle of the pasta water and the cooked spaghetti. Toss the pasta into the sauce until it’s evenly coated. Serve warm and enjoy!
Other Easy Pasta Recipes
If you like super easy to make pasta recipes like this one, you have to try Chicken Pot Pie Pasta, Spicy Vodka Rigatoni and Creamy Tuscan Tortellini.
Al Dente Diva says
I’m so happy you all liked it! Thanks for letting me know.
TK says
I made this meal for my family and added chicken for my dad (who can't eat a meal without meat). The whole family loved it!
Anonymous says
Wonder if it would go good with beef Frank’s?
Al Dente Diva says
You can absolutely leave them out
Kristy says
This looks delicious, but I’m not crazy about sun dried tomatoes. Can I leave them out? Should I add more paste?
Erin says
Easy to make and delicious! The only difference was I used penne noodles I had on hand. Would definitely make again!
Al Dente Diva says
I’m so happy to hear that. Thank you so much
Tracey P says
Thank you for the recipe. This was delicious. We had it tonight and the family loved it!
Al Dente Diva says
Thanks so much! It’s my pleasure. Enjoy it!
Ruth Anne (Reap) Bondura says
I must try this recipe. Looks delicious! Thanks for the post.