Creamy Tuscan Pasta Sauce

I made this and served it at Heather's birthday dinner (2013) and it was absolutely wonderful! I put it over mozzarella and spinach ravioli. I used fat free cream cheese and regular milk. It definitely was a big hit!!

From Mel's Kitchen Cafe

YIELD: SERVES 4-6

This would be delicious with grilled or cooked chicken thrown into the mix. Also, you can use lowfat cream cheese and lowfat milk; the sauce is more creamy and smooth the higher fat content you go but I usually stick with 1% milk and less fat cream cheese and we love it. If you have fresh basil, scrap the dried basil and add in about 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil at the end of cooking (or do a combination of dried and fresh for maximum basil flavor). To maximize how quickly this meal comes together, start the noodles cooking at the same time you start the sauce.

INGREDIENTS

·         4 tablespoons butter

·         4 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed through a garlic press (I used bottled)

·         1/2 tablespoon dried basil (I used fresh and added about 2 T)

·         8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into 8 pieces

·         8-ounce jar sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed, drained and chopped

·         2 cups milk

·         6 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 2 cups) (I had one bag, about 1.5 cups)

·         1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (I used white)

·         1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste, if needed

·         Diced fresh tomatoes, fresh basil for topping (optional) (used neither)

DIRECTIONS

1.       In a medium pot or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, taking care not to let the garlic burn. Stir in the dried basil. Add the cream cheese, stirring with a whisk until the mixture is smooth. It will look curdled at first, but with constant whisking for 2-3 minutes, it should come together to form a smooth, creamy paste. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes.

2.       Over medium heat, add the milk gradually, about 1/4 cup at a time, whisking quickly and constantly until each addition is incorporated fully into the sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, pepper and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is the desired consistency, 5-10 minutes. Serve over hot, cooked noodles.

Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe