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Creamy Marry Me pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, white beans, and spinach in a cashew cream sauce
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Creamy Marry Me Pasta

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Author: Bridgette Blakey
This creamy Marry Me Pasta is rich, cozy, and surprisingly easy to make. A silky cashew cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, white beans, and spinach come together for a romantic night-in dinner that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, family meals, or post-workout recovery.
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Ingredients
 

  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 cup sun dried tomatoes, sliced
  • 1½ cup vegetable broth
  • ½ cup cashew cream , recipe below
  • ½ cup grated parmesan
  • 1 tbsp white miso paste
  • ½ cup white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, torn

Cashew Cream Sauce

  • ½ cup raw cashews, soaked
  • ½ cup water

Instructions
 

Cashew Cream Sauce

  • Blend soaked cashews with water until smooth. Set aside.

Pasta

  • Cook rigatoni in very salty water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
  • In a wide pan over medium-low heat, add olive oil and tomato paste. Cook 1–2 minutes until brick-red and fragrant.
  • Add red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Bloom 30 seconds.
  • Add sun-dried tomatoes and vegetable broth. Simmer until reduced by about half.
  • Lower heat and slowly stir in cashew cream.
  • Add parmesan and miso. Stir until fully melted and glossy.
  • Add white beans and spinach. Let spinach wilt.
  • Add rigatoni plus 1–3 tablespoons pasta water, tossing until sauce coats and lightly pools. Add more pasta water until sauce loosens a bit.
  • Finish with black pepper and torn basil.

Notes

  • Use pasta water: Reserved pasta water helps loosen the sauce and makes it cling to the noodles. Add a little at a time until glossy.
  • Make it kid-friendly: Reduce or omit red pepper flakes if serving to kids.
  • Protein swaps: White beans can be swapped for shrimp, tofu, chicken, chickpeas, or lentils.
  • Extra richness: Finish with a drizzle of olive oil or extra parmesan if desired.
  • Spice lovers: Chili crunch or hot honey takes this over the top.
  • Serving suggestions: Best served with crusty bread and a simple green salad or kale Caesar.
  • Leftovers: Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 473kcal, Carbohydrates: 64g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 7mg, Sodium: 566mg, Potassium: 1059mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 1651IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 146mg, Iron: 5mg