Description
Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish featuring smoky turkey bacon, vibrant sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and creamy plant-based cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, it blends umami-rich ingredients with a silky sauce perfect for busy weeknights or comforting family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of your choice (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti recommended)
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 6 slices smoky turkey bacon
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, shredded
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil (natural)
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water to use later for the sauce.
- Cook the Turkey Bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey bacon and cook until golden and crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, keeping the drippings in the skillet.
- Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add olive oil to the skillet with the bacon drippings. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for 2 minutes to enhance their flavor.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the apple cider vinegar and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce. Mix well to combine. If the sauce is too thick, gradually whisk in reserved pasta water to achieve a smooth, silky texture.
- Combine Pasta and Finish: Return the cooked pasta and crispy turkey bacon to the skillet. Toss everything together until well coated with the sauce. Stir in fresh basil, parsley, and plant-based cheese until the cheese melts and is evenly distributed.
Notes
- Use quality sun-dried tomatoes, preferably packed in olive oil (natural), for best flavor.
- Reserve pasta water as its starch helps to bind the sauce perfectly.
- Do not overcook garlic; it should be fragrant but not browned to keep sauce fresh-tasting.
- Add fresh herbs last to retain their vibrant flavor.
- Use the turkey bacon drippings as a base for the sauce to maximize depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: sun-dried tomato pasta, turkey bacon pasta, plant-based cheese pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, savory pasta