Irresistible Marry Me Pasta

This Marry Me Pasta Recipe transforms the beloved, internet-famous Marry Me Chicken into a delectable pasta dish that is astonishingly fast, incredibly rich, and utterly crave-worthy. Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite weeknight meal!

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Author’s Insights: A Flavor I’m Truly Committed To

My Obsession with Marry Me Flavors

Lately, I’ve found myself absolutely captivated by the incredible flavors of Marry Me Chicken. My family adores it so much that I’ve been experimenting, creating several delightful variations, including the refreshing Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad, the comforting Marry Me Tortellini Bake, and now, this spectacular Marry Me Pasta. It’s been a fantastic journey, and each new iteration brings a fresh perspective to these beloved flavors.

What makes these flavors so special? It’s the perfect harmony of tangy sun-dried tomatoes, tender and juicy chicken, and a sauce so creamy it feels utterly luxurious. Seriously, every bite of this pasta tastes like it’s been carefully crafted in a high-end restaurant kitchen, yet it’s incredibly simple to make at home.

And for that ultimate touch that elevates this dish from great to extraordinary? A delicate drizzle of fresh pesto stirred in right at the end. Trust me on this—it adds a vibrant, herbaceous pop that you won’t want to skip. Once you try it, you’ll understand my obsession!

Why Marry Me Pasta is Your Next Dinner Staple

In a world full of dinner options, Marry Me Pasta stands out for its exceptional blend of convenience and gourmet taste. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something special but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. This dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a quick yet impressive meal.

The magic lies in its rich, velvety sauce, which perfectly coats every strand of pasta and piece of tender chicken. The combination of savory chicken broth, decadent heavy cream, and sharp Parmesan creates a depth of flavor that feels both comforting and elegant. Sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of concentrated sweetness and tang, while fresh garlic provides an aromatic base. It’s a symphony of flavors that truly lives up to its “Marry Me” reputation.

Beyond its incredible taste, this pasta is also incredibly versatile. You can easily adjust it to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. Add more vegetables, switch up the protein, or even make it vegetarian. It’s a flexible recipe that guarantees delicious results every time.

Marry Me Pasta: Essential Ingredients for a Rich Flavor

Crafting the perfect Marry Me Pasta starts with a selection of quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the dish’s signature rich and savory profile.

Mastering the Sauce: The Secret to Silky Perfection

The hallmark of a truly exceptional pasta dish is a sauce that perfectly clings to every piece of pasta, offering a harmonious blend of flavors and a luxurious texture. The secret to achieving this restaurant-quality richness and silky consistency lies in a technique called emulsification.

Emulsifying involves combining the creamy sauce, the hot, freshly cooked pasta, and a crucial ingredient: a splash of reserved pasta water. This cloudy, starchy water is a chef’s best friend. As pasta cooks, it releases starch into the water, creating a naturally thick and slightly salty liquid. When you stir this starchy water into your warm sauce, it acts as a binder, helping the fats and liquids in your sauce to blend seamlessly. This process creates a stable emulsion, resulting in a smooth, glossy, and incredibly flavorful coating that adheres beautifully to the pasta.

Don’t underestimate the power of this simple step. It transforms a good sauce into a truly magnificent one, ensuring that every bite of your Marry Me Pasta is infused with creamy deliciousness.

Expert Tips for the Best Marry Me Pasta

Achieving culinary perfection often comes down to a few key techniques. Follow these expert tips to ensure your Marry Me Pasta is nothing short of extraordinary:

• Properly Salt the Pasta Water: This is arguably the most crucial step for flavorful pasta. The pasta absorbs salt as it cooks, seasoning it from the inside out. Aim for water that tastes like the sea (about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts of water). This is your only real chance to impart flavor directly into the pasta itself, significantly boosting the overall taste of your dish.
• Adjust Sauce Consistency with Pasta Water: If your sauce appears too thick or starts to dry out, don’t hesitate to add a splash of the reserved starchy pasta water or a little extra cream. The pasta water helps to emulsify the sauce, creating a smoother, silkier texture that beautifully coats the pasta.
• Chop the Spinach: While whole baby spinach leaves are fine, giving them a quick rough chop before adding them to the pasta ensures they mix in more evenly and are much easier to eat. This also prevents large clumps of spinach in your dish, integrating it more harmoniously.
• Rest the Chicken: After searing, transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover it loosely with foil. Allowing the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing helps redistribute its juices, resulting in more tender, moist, and flavorful chicken pieces that won’t dry out when added to the pasta.
• Mind the Heat for Your Sauce: When simmering your creamy sauce, maintain a gentle heat. High heat can cause the cream to boil vigorously, which can lead to it “splitting” or curdling, resulting in a grainy texture. A gentle simmer ensures a smooth, homogeneous sauce.
• Fresh Ingredients Make a Difference: While convenience is key, using fresh garlic, freshly grated Parmesan, and high-quality sun-dried tomatoes will truly elevate the flavor profile of this dish. The difference is noticeable and worth the extra moment of prep.

Marry Me Pasta Recipe: A Weeknight Sensation

By: Chelsea Lords

Marry Me Pasta is a delightful transformation of the popular Marry Me Chicken into a luscious, quick, and satisfying pasta dish perfect for any weeknight.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

• Large pot
• Large skillet (heavy-bottomed recommended)

Ingredients

For the Pasta and Chicken:

• 3 cups uncooked rotini pasta (or Casarecce pasta)
• 2 medium-sized chicken breasts (approximately 1 pound)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

For the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, coarsely chopped
• 4 packed cups baby spinach
• 1/4 cup basil pesto (optional, but recommended for an extra flavor boost)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley or basil, for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Slice each chicken breast in half widthwise to create 4 thinner pieces. Lightly pound them to an even thickness (no need to flatten completely). Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning (roughly ¼ teaspoon of each per side).
2. Cook the Pasta: Bring 12 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and then the pasta. Cook the pasta for 1 minute less than the package instructions for al dente results. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta (do not rinse).
3. Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer and sear for 2–3 minutes per side, or until cooked through (internal temperature reaches 160°F and juices run clear). As you flip the chicken, drizzle in about 1 tablespoon of oil from the sun-dried tomato jar for enhanced flavor. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and set aside to rest.
4. Build the Sauce Base: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant and light golden. Pour in 1/2 cup of chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (this adds immense flavor). Once the broth has mostly evaporated, add the remaining 1/2 cup and stir.
5. Create the Creamy Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and the remaining Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer (do not boil, as this can cause the sauce to split). Continue to simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has slightly thickened. While the sauce simmers, dice or shred the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces.
6. Combine and Finish: Add the baby spinach, diced or shredded cooked chicken (including any juices that accumulated on the plate), and the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything with tongs for 1–2 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and the pasta to become thoroughly coated in the luxurious sauce. If the sauce appears too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Finally, stir in the basil pesto (if using) and toss once more. Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning (salt and pepper) as needed.
7. Serve Immediately: Serve your Marry Me Pasta hot, topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs like parsley or basil, if desired. For an interactive touch, I like to bring additional pesto to the table so everyone can drizzle on more to taste. This pasta is truly at its best when enjoyed right after tossing.

Recipe Notes

Note 1 (Parmesan Cheese): For the best texture and melt, always use a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it fresh. Use the small sides of a box grater for a finer shred. When measuring, lightly pack the grated cheese for an accurate amount. Pre-shredded varieties often contain anti-caking agents that can affect the sauce’s smoothness.

Note 2 (Baby Spinach): While optional, a quick rough chop of the baby spinach before adding it to the pasta helps it mix in more effectively and makes each bite easier and more enjoyable. It ensures the spinach is evenly distributed throughout the dish.

Note 3 (Pesto Variation): For the most vibrant flavor, I highly recommend using a high-quality refrigerated basil pesto. If you don’t have pesto on hand, you can still achieve a delicious sauce by adding an extra ¼ cup of heavy cream, a pinch more salt, and an additional ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning to compensate for the missing herbaceous notes.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 529kcal | Carbohydrates: 54.7g | Protein: 20.4g | Fat: 25.4g | Cholesterol: 77.9mg | Sodium: 299.4mg | Fiber: 2.6g | Sugar: 2.5g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve With Marry Me Pasta

Marry Me Pasta is a complete meal on its own, but pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate your dining experience and balance its richness. Here are some fantastic suggestions:

• Warm, Crusty Bread: Nothing beats a good piece of bread for soaking up every last drop of that incredible creamy sauce. Serve with warm focaccia, garlic bread, or a classic French baguette. It’s perfect for wiping the plate clean and ensuring no deliciousness goes to waste.
• Fresh Caesar Salad: A crisp, tangy Caesar salad is my ultimate go-to side for any rich, Italian-inspired pasta dish. The bright, sharp dressing and crunchy croutons provide a wonderful contrast to the creamy pasta, offering a refreshing balance to your meal.
• Roasted Green Beans: For a simple and healthy vegetable side, roasted green beans are an excellent choice. Tossed with a little olive oil, garlic, and seasoning, they add a vibrant green color and a tender-crisp texture that complements the pasta beautifully.
• Light Fruit Salad or Sliced Watermelon: If you’re looking for something light and refreshing, especially after a decadent pasta dish, a simple fruit salad or a platter of sliced watermelon provides a sweet, juicy, and cooling contrast that cleanses the palate wonderfully.
• Steamed Asparagus: Lightly steamed or roasted asparagus, perhaps with a squeeze of lemon, offers a delicate bitterness that can cut through the richness of the pasta, adding another layer of flavor and texture.

Marry Me Pasta Recipe FAQs: Your Questions Answered