Strawberry Sour Cream Pasta (Printable)

Summer pasta tossed in a creamy strawberry and sour cream sauce with fresh basil and pine nuts.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz farfalle or penne pasta
02 - 1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)

→ Strawberry Sauce

03 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
04 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
05 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
06 - 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
07 - 1/4 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Creamy Component

09 - 3/4 cup sour cream (full-fat preferred)

→ Garnish

10 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
11 - Optional: 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
12 - Optional: Extra sliced strawberries

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
02 - Combine strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes until strawberries soften but retain some texture.
03 - Remove saucepan from heat and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Gently fold in sour cream until sauce is smooth and uniformly pink. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - Add drained pasta to the strawberry sauce and toss gently to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time if sauce requires thinning.
05 - Divide pasta among plates and garnish with fresh basil leaves, optional pine nuts, and extra sliced strawberries if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like an indulgence but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • The sweet strawberry and tangy sour cream combination surprises everyone in the best way possible.
  • One pot, minimal cleanup, maximum impact—perfect for those nights when you want something special without the fuss.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step after the strawberries finish cooking—adding sour cream to something too hot will make it separate and lose its silky texture.
  • Taste the strawberry mixture before adding the sour cream; it should be balanced between sweet and tart so the cream doesn't have to do all the heavy lifting.
03 -
  • If you can't find good fresh strawberries, skip this recipe and make something else instead—they're the star here and deserve to taste exceptional.
  • Shave off a little lemon zest right over the finished plates for an extra burst of aromatic brightness that changes everything.
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