Are you ready to transform an ordinary meal into a culinary masterpiece? This luxurious Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce is about to become your new secret weapon in the kitchen. Imagine a velvety, rich sauce bursting with intense sun-dried tomato flavor that can elevate everything from pasta to grilled chicken - all in just 20 minutes! Whether you're a home cook looking to impress or a flavor enthusiast seeking a gourmet experience, this recipe promises to deliver restaurant-quality deliciousness right in your own kitchen.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 2 cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
Instructions
- Drain the sun-dried tomatoes and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess oil, then finely chop them into small, uniform pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat, ensuring the pan is evenly heated before adding ingredients.
- Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the heated olive oil and sauté for 1-2 minutes, allowing them to release their intense flavor and become slightly fragrant.
- Gradually pour the heavy cream into the pan, stirring continuously to prevent scorching and ensure smooth integration with the tomatoes.
- Sprinkle dried basil into the sauce, stirring to distribute the herb evenly throughout the cream mixture.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes, allowing it to thicken and the flavors to meld together.
- Slowly incorporate the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese is completely melted and integrated into the sauce.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning gradually and tasting as you go.
- Continue to simmer the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce rest for a minute to allow further thickening before serving over pasta, chicken, or your preferred dish.
Tips
- Choose high-quality sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil for maximum flavor intensity.
- Pat the tomatoes completely dry to prevent excess oil from making your sauce greasy.
- Use low and slow heat when simmering to prevent the cream from separating or scorching.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts more smoothly than pre-packaged versions.
- For extra depth, consider adding a minced garlic clove when sautéing the tomatoes.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it with a little pasta water or additional cream.
- This sauce freezes beautifully - make a double batch and store for quick future meals!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 80mg
