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4.8 from 204 votes

Creamy Tuscan Pasta Sauce

Crafted with ease and taste in mind, this recipe is a great choice.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6 Servings
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed through a garlic press (about a tablespoon)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into 8 pieces
  • 1 (8-ounce) (8-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed, drained and chopped
  • 2 cups milk (preferably not skim)
  • 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving, if desired
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium pot or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, taking care not to let the garlic burn.
  2. Stir in the dried basil. Add the cream cheese, stirring constantly with a whisk until the mixture is smooth. It will look curdled at first, but with constant whisking for 2-3 minutes, it should come together to form a smooth, creamy paste. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes.
  3. Over medium heat, add the milk gradually, about 1/4 cup at a time, whisking quickly and constantly until each addition is incorporated fully into the sauce.
  4. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, pepper and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is the desired consistency, 5-10 minutes. Serve over hot, cooked noodles.

Notes

  • Cream Cheese + Milk:  you can use reduced fat cream cheese and lowfat milk; the sauce is creamier with full fat cream cheese and 2% or above milk. 
  • Basil: if you have fresh basil, scrap the dried basil and add in about 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil at the end of cooking (or do a combination of dried and fresh for maximum basil flavor).
  • Thicker Sauce: if you want the sauce slightly thicker, add 1 to 2 tablespoons flour to the melted butter and whisk vigorously to prevent lumps. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Serving Calories 442kcal (22%) Carbohydrates 28g (9%) Protein 21g (42%) Fat 30g (46%) Saturated Fat 17g (85%) Cholesterol 85mg (28%) Sodium 964mg (40%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 20g (40%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Serving
Calories 442kcal 22%
Carbohydrates 28g 9%
Protein 21g 42%
Fat 30g 46%
Saturated Fat 17g 85%
Cholesterol 85mg 28%
Sodium 964mg 40%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 20g 40%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.