Creamy Pasta with Artichoke Sauce Recipe: A Dreamy Dinner

Crafting a delectable pasta with artichoke sauce brings pure culinary magic into your kitchen.

Mediterranean flavors dance across each perfectly twirled noodle.

Tender artichoke hearts create a creamy, sophisticated base that whispers sophisticated comfort.

Unexpected ingredients marry together, promising a meal that feels both elegant and approachable.

Simple techniques transform ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become gourmet experiences with minimal effort.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this delightful dish.

Delicious Pairings for Artichoke Sauce Pasta

• Sprinkle generously aged Parmigiano-Reggiano over the pasta to enhance the artichoke's earthy flavor, creating a rich and creamy texture that complements the sauce's subtle nuances.
• Choose a crisp Italian white like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino, which cuts through the sauce's richness and highlights the artichoke's delicate herbal notes with its bright acidity.
• Top the dish with fresh chopped basil or parsley to add a vibrant green freshness that lifts the artichoke's deep, complex flavors and provides a light, aromatic finish to each bite.
• Garnish with toasted pine nuts or breadcrumbs to introduce a delightful crunch against the smooth artichoke sauce, creating an exciting textural dimension to the pasta dish.

New Takes on Pasta with Artichoke Sauce

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular pasta with brown rice pasta or zucchini noodles for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Adaptation: Substitute dairy ingredients with nutritional yeast and plant-based cream to create a dairy-free artichoke sauce.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use spiralized vegetable noodles like butternut squash or cauliflower noodles instead of traditional pasta.
• Protein-Packed Version: Add grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or white beans to increase protein content and create a more substantial meal.

Pasta with Artichoke Sauce: FAQs Answered

• What are the key ingredients for this artichoke pasta sauce?

The main ingredients include artichoke hearts, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs like parsley or basil.

• Can I use frozen artichoke hearts instead of canned?

Yes, frozen artichoke hearts work perfectly and can often have a fresher taste compared to canned versions. Just thaw them completely before using in the recipe.

• Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

Absolutely! This pasta dish is completely vegetarian-friendly and packed with delicious plant-based flavors. It’s a great option for those avoiding meat.

• How can I make the sauce creamy without using heavy cream?

You can create a creamy texture by blending some of the artichoke hearts with pasta water and parmesan cheese, which will give a smooth, rich consistency without adding cream.

Pasta with Artichoke Sauce: What’s So Good About It

• This recipe transforms mundane weeknight dinners into a gourmet experience with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Preparation takes less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious yet simple meals.
• Artichoke sauce offers a unique, creamy texture that appeals to both adults and kids, introducing an elegant twist to traditional pasta dishes.
• Easy to customize with additional vegetables, proteins, or herbs, allowing home chefs to personalize the dish according to their taste preferences and pantry ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Artichoke Sauce Pasta

• Pasta: Hearty base for the dish, choose a shape that holds sauce well like penne or fusilli.
• Artichoke Hearts: Tender, slightly tangy vegetable that forms the core of the sauce, fresh or jarred both work great.

• Olive Oil: Rich foundation for building flavor, extra virgin provides best taste.
• Garlic: Aromatic base that adds depth and warmth to the sauce, fresh cloves have strongest flavor.
• White Wine: Adds brightness and complexity to the sauce, dry varieties work best.

• Parmesan Cheese: Salty, nutty topping that enhances overall flavor, freshly grated provides best texture.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds color and fresh note to the dish, finely chopped for even distribution.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and elevate the sauce's taste profile.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps create smooth, clingy sauce consistency.

How to Make Pasta with Artichoke Sauce at Home

Step 1: Boil Water and Prepare Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Carefully add your chosen pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches the perfect al dente texture. Before draining, scoop out half a cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta in a colander.

Step 2: Create Artichoke Sauce Base

• Chopped artichoke hearts
• Red pepper flakes
• Lemon zest
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir the ingredients together, allowing the flavors to meld and the artichokes to become slightly crispy at the edges.

Step 3: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Pour the reserved pasta water into the skillet with the artichoke mixture. This helps create a silky, smooth sauce that will beautifully coat the pasta. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until each strand is generously covered with the artichoke sauce.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. If desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and additional flavor. Serve immediately while the pasta is hot and the sauce is creamy.

Tips for Getting Artichoke Sauce Just Right

• Choose Fresh Artichokes: Select firm, heavy artichokes with tight, compact leaves for the most flavorful and tender sauce.
• Prevent Artichoke Browning: Immediately place cut artichoke pieces in lemon water to stop oxidation and maintain a bright, fresh appearance.
• Customize Pasta Texture: Save pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, adding splashes to create a silkier, more cohesive coating.
• Enhance Flavor Profile: Toast garlic and herbs briefly in olive oil to release deeper, more complex aromatics before adding to the sauce.
• Adapt for Dietary Needs: Substitute dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast for a vegan version, ensuring the same creamy texture and rich taste.

How to Store and Reheat This Pasta Dish

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Keep the artichoke sauce in a separate container to prevent pasta from becoming soggy and maintain its original texture.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water or olive oil to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Steer clear of microwaving if possible, as it can make pasta tough and unevenly heated, compromising the delicate artichoke sauce's quality.

Pasta With Artichoke Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy artichoke pasta brings Mediterranean charm to dinner tables with its silky, herbaceous sauce. Home cooks will savor this elegant dish that combines tender artichokes and rich ingredients in a simple yet luxurious culinary experience.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
• 1 can (14 ounces) or jar (1216 ounces) artichoke hearts (drained and roughly chopped)
• ½ cup heavy cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup vegetable or chicken broth (or pasta water for extra silkiness)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for brightness)
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Garnish:

• ¼ cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
• Salted water (for boiling the pasta)

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Instructions

1. Fill a generously sized pot with water, season with salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
2. Carefully add pasta to the bubbling water, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, and cook until tender with a slight resistance when bitten.
3. Before draining, carefully extract a half cup of starchy cooking liquid, which will help emulsify the sauce later.
4. Strain the pasta in a colander, allowing excess water to drain completely, and set aside momentarily.

Notes

• Drain artichoke hearts thoroughly to prevent watery sauce and ensure a rich, creamy texture.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for deeper flavor compared to pre-packaged versions.
• Adjust sauce consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water, creating a silky smooth coating that clings perfectly to pasta.
• Consider adding red pepper flakes or lemon zest for an extra flavor boost that elevates the simple artichoke sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 66g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 50mg