Sun-Dried Tomato Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Ingredients:

• 8 oz (225g) pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained of oil if packed in oil)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. While the pasta is cooking, chop the sun-dried tomatoes into smaller pieces if they are large.
3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
4. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the cream to thicken slightly.
6. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and well combined with the cream sauce.
7. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, you can add some of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
8. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until it’s well coated with the creamy sauce.
9. Serve the Sun-Dried Tomato Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta hot, garnished with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.