Marry Me sauce is a Tuscan-inspired sauce that combines sun-dried tomatoes with cream and basil. This classic combination packs so much flavor that it’s been known to inspire proposals! Marry me dishes, like my social media famous Marry Me Chickpeas and Marry Me Butter Beans, share many similar ingredients to pesto – basil and parmesan being the most prominent. So, I thought…why not combine the two? The trick to combining these two is heavy cream. I use heavy cream to make pesto pasta sauce all the time (like in my Cavatappi Pasta with Creamy Pesto) so it’s a natural transition to use the heavy cream-based Marry Me sauce. I’m so excited to share this fun mash-up of classic Italian sauces with you!
Why you’ll love it
It’s super quick to make this sauce, like 10 minutes fast! It’s a versatile sauce that can be paired with any type of pasta you like! I enjoy it with a wide noodle like pappardelle. Minimal ingredients are paired together carefully for maximum flavor!
Ingredients for Marry Me Pesto pasta
To make this delicious pasta, you only need a handful of ingredients and some tasty spices.
Pasta: I like to use a wide noodle (like pappardelle) but you can use any kind you like, including gluten-free. You can even use a gnocchi! Butter: Unsalted butter is used to ‘sweat’ the spices which helps to bloom their flavor. Grab some unsalted butter or margarine for a vegan version. Garlic: Garlic is why this Marry Me sauce makes people want to marry the chef! Seasonings: Salt, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper are all you need for the most wonderful melody of flavors. Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes are a staple of Tuscan cooking. The specific method of drying the tomatoes enhances their natural sweetness for the most unique and wonderful flavor. Pesto: I always try my very best to use freshly made pesto. It’s so simple and fast to make and even easier since pesto and Marry Me sauce share some ingredients! The Cream: You will need heavy cream and parmesan to bring the dish together. You can also use a vegan heavy cream and vegan parmesan.
How to make Pesto Pasta with Marry Me Sauce
This dish seriously couldn’t be easier to make. To start, you’ll need to cook the pasta. While that’s going, make the sauce. Then comes marriage.
Storage
This pasta will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. To reheat it, heat on low on the stove with a little vegetable broth to rehydrate the sauce.
Why this Recipe Works
This dish seems simple but trust me when I say it has exactly what it needs. Here’s why it works with such simple ingredients and steps.
It’s vegetarian so there’s no waiting for a protein to cook. It’s versatile in that you can any type of pasta or gnocchi or add more to it like white beans. The right sauce to pasta ratio means the pasta isn’t drowning in sauce and the pasta isn’t dry either.
Can I make this with gluten-free pasta?
Yes, you can use any type of gluten-free pasta since it’s cooked separately.
Can this be made vegan?
You can use vegan heavy cream and parmesan for the sauce but storebought pesto is not typically vegan. If you make your own pesto, then you can also make it vegan by using a vegan parmesan cheese.
What do I do if I forget to save pasta water?
If you forgot the pasta water and dumped it all out, you can substitute it with a little vegetable broth or salted water!
what to serve with Marry Me pasta
To make this a full Italian meal, you’ll need a few more dishes. Here’s what you can pair the pasta with!
Vegan Garlic Bread is a must-serve alongside pasta. It’s incredibly easy to make and SO tasty! Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup is a nice compliment to the pasta. Bruschetta Pizza is another classic pairing – pizza and pasta, what more could you want? A fresh salad like this 15-Minute Mediterranean Parsley Salad is easy to whip up and tastes delicious alongside the cozy bowl of pesto pasta.
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @liveeatlearn on Facebook or Instagram!
