A little backstory: my parents weren't "together" very long before they conceived me (I was a big surprise LOL). They were in a relationship for a few years after my birth, and during that time, they lived mostly in Italy, where my father is from, and they used to make this creamy Olive and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta A LOT. My father says it was basically their go-to whenever they'd have friends over. It's so delicious and has the best mix of savory saltiness from the briny olives, a hint of sweetness from the sun-dried tomatoes, and that velvety creaminess to pull it all together. I can eat bowlfuls and bowlfuls of it. It's definitely a crowd pleaser.
Begin by putting a big pot of pasta water on the boil. I always salt my pasta water with about 2 tbsp of kosher salt!
Next, heat the olive oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, and sauté until starting to turn golden, around 3-4 minutes. Add the olives and sun-dried tomatoes, and stir to combine. Sauté, stirring every now and then, until the olives and tomatoes become fragrant and start to break down. This will take about 5 minutes. Now turn the heat down a bit, and keep cooking the mixture down gently. When you're a minute or two away from the pasta being cooked al dente, stir your cream in to the tomato and olive mixture. Mix well, and turn the heat back up to medium. Get it to a simmer, and keep stirring. Before draining your pasta, reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. If your sauce needs to be thinned a little, add it in to the sauce 1 tbsp at a time. (I usually add about 1-2 tbsp.) Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper to your liking.
Drain your pasta, and add it to the pan with the sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta.
Top with the chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese, if you'd like. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Olive Pasta
Amount Per Serving (8 oz)
Calories 896Calories from Fat 351
% Daily Value*
Fat 39g60%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Cholesterol 61mg20%
Sodium 693mg30%
Potassium 2280mg65%
Carbohydrates 120g40%
Fiber 12g50%
Sugar 25g28%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 1600IU32%
Vitamin C 29mg35%
Calcium 146mg15%
Iron 7mg39%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.