Easy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta (Cooks in 20 Minutes)

This creamy sun dried tomato pasta is one of our favorite easy pasta recipes! This creamy Tuscan chicken pasta dinner recipe is sure to be a family-favorite! The best part? It cooks in 20 minutes!

This super easy pasta recipe is delicious and the ultimate comfort food! 

It’s quick enough to be an easy weeknight meal and impressive enough you can serve it to company!

Is half and half allowed on the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean Diet allows for all foods to be eaten in moderation. With that said, half and half isn’t emphasized on the diet and should be limited to small amounts.

The Mediterranean Diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and olive oil first, and you can also have fish, poultry, and dairy products like yogurt and cheese in moderation.

Is this a Mediterranean Diet recipe?

Instead of labeling something yes or no, we tend to look at recipes on a sliding scale.

Is this an A+ Mediterranean Diet recipe ingredient wise, probably not because of the half-and-half.

With that said, it still hits a lot of the foods emphasized on the diet (whole grains, vegetables) and packs lean protein and cheese which is allowed on the diet 1-2x a week. 

Plus the the half-and-half is in moderation. The whole recipe calls for 1 cup so it’s just a little bit in each serving.

The Mediterranean Diet does allow for treats and exceptions in moderation, and it’s one reason we love eating this way!

Want to learn more? Check out our Free Mediterranean Quick Start Guide!

Ingredients for Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes with oil
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb chopped chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shredded Asiago cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• Additional salt for pasta and to season chicken

How to Make Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

1. Start by cooking your pasta using the instructions on the package. Cook until al dente and drain.
2. In a large skillet, heat your olive oil, minced garlic, and sun dried tomatoes on medium heat for about a minute.
3. Season the cut chicken breast pieces with salt and paprika and add to the skillet. Cook until it’s cooked through.
4. Add your half-and-half and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the skillet and bring to a boil.
5. Add in half of the Asiago cheese and stir until the cheese has melted.
6. Reduce the heat to medium. You can now add the other 1/2 of the cheese if your sauce is too thin. If your sauce is too thick, you can add 1/4 cup of half-and-half and stir.
7. Once your sauce is the desired consistency, you can add the penne noodles and spinach to the skillet. 
8. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and allow the spinach to wilt. Once it has, uncover, stir, and enjoy!

Tips For Making This Pasta

• The sun-dried tomatoes are the leading lady in this dish – so opt for a good quality brand.
• If your sun dried tomatoes are large, you can cut them into smaller pieces.
• If your sauce is too thick in step 6, you could use a bit of pasta water instead of half-and-half if you want to save calories.
• Don’t forget to cook your pasta just to al dente.

How to Customize the Recipe

You can change the type of noodles, add more spinach or sun dried tomatoes, top with fresh basil, or give it some heat with crushed red pepper flakes! 

What do I do with leftovers?

You can store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.

We also share healthy Mediterranean and Blue Zone recipes on our Instagram each week!

We hope you love this creamy sun-dried tomato pasta recipe! You may also like:

• The Best Wine for Mediterranean Diet & How Much to Drink
• Creamy Ricotta Pasta with White Wine: One Pot Recipe
• Simple Chickpea and Pasta Soup (Italian Pasta e Ceci)