That jar of sun-dried tomatoes has been sitting in your pantry long enough. Stop ignoring it and actually put it to use in something other than a half-hearted attempt at a charcuterie board. These little flavor bombs add a deep, tangy kick to everything from pasta to chicken to snacks you didn’t even know needed them. They’re the secret ingredient that takes a meal from decent to something you’d actually want to make again. Whether you’re throwing them into a creamy sauce, blending them into pesto, or using them to punch up a simple salad, here’s how to give them the spotlight they deserve.
Sun-Dried Tomato Leek Muffins
A savory snack made with almond and coconut flour. These muffins are packed with the bold flavor of sun-dried tomatoes and leeks, making them great for meal prep or an easy on-the-go breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato Leek Muffins
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
Rigatoni coated in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with baby spinach and shredded Parmesan. It’s a meatless meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
Garlic Yogurt Chicken Salad Sandwich
A fresh take on a chicken salad sandwich, this version gets a boost from a sun-dried tomato spread on ciabatta. The garlic yogurt dressing keeps it light but flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Yogurt Chicken Salad Sandwich
Brussels Sprouts Pasta
A quick, six-ingredient pasta dish that combines bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichokes for a bold, flavorful meal. It comes together in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Pasta
Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles
Butternut squash noodles tossed with wilted spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, and dollops of fresh ricotta. A simple, one-pan meal that works well as a light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles
Marry Me Chicken
A creamy, flavorful dish that pairs tender chicken with a rich sauce made with garlic, Parmesan, and, of course, sun-dried tomatoes. Their tangy bite balances the creaminess, making this the perfect excuse to finally use that jar in your pantry. Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread to soak up every drop.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken
Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
This set-it-and-forget-it meal combines chicken with a creamy garlic sauce, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes that add just the right amount of tang. The slow cooker does all the work, making this an easy, flavorful dinner that works well with pasta, rice, or even a simple side of roasted vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
A bold, garlicky sauce that turns sun-dried tomatoes into a rich spread with just six ingredients. Toss it with pasta, slather it on sandwiches, or use it as a dip for crackers and veggies. The sun-dried tomatoes bring an intense depth of flavor that makes this pesto stand out from the usual basil version.
Get the Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Spinach, Artichoke, and Sun-Dried Tomato Cups
These bite-sized appetizers pack a creamy, tangy filling into flaky crescent dough. The combination of spinach, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes creates a balanced mix of flavors, while the crispy exterior makes them perfect for parties or snacking. Easy to make ahead and bake fresh when needed.
Get the Recipe: Spinach, Artichoke, and Sun-Dried Tomato Cups
Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
A quick and hearty dish where sun-dried tomatoes cut through a rich Parmesan and Gruyère sauce, making every bite balanced and flavorful. Served with al dente pasta or over rice, this meal comes together fast and brings big flavors to the table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Pecan Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
A simple yet satisfying pasta dish loaded with crunchy pecans, fresh herbs, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. The combination of textures makes this a well-rounded meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Crusted Salmon
Oven-roasted salmon fillets are topped with a thick layer of sun-dried tomato pesto for a dish that’s ready in under 30 minutes. The pesto forms a flavorful crust that keeps the salmon moist while adding a punch of garlic and basil. Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a simple salad.
Get the Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Crusted Salmon
Polenta Pizza Italian Style
Instead of a traditional crust, this pizza uses a polenta base, making it an easy and creative way to mix things up. Topped with sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, and your choice of veggies or meats, it bakes into a crispy, satisfying meal. Leftovers taste even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Polenta Pizza Italian Style
Bacon Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Cream
A rich, comforting pasta dish that brings together crispy bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a creamy sauce. The sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy contrast to the richness, making this an easy but flavor-packed meal.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Cream
Pasta With Pesto Rosso
This pasta dish features a bold red pesto made with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, toasted pine nuts, and Grana Padano cheese. Tossed with fusilli and cherry tomatoes, it’s a simple yet flavorful dinner that comes together in no time.
Get the Recipe: Pasta With Pesto Rosso
Cottage Cheese Frittata with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
A protein-packed frittata that’s great for breakfast, brunch, or meal prep. Cottage cheese makes it extra creamy, while sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and shallots add plenty of flavor. Serve warm or enjoy leftovers straight from the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Frittata with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
This one-pan meal takes the flavors of Marry Me Chicken and adds tender tortellini, making it even heartier. The sun-dried tomatoes bring a tangy contrast to the rich, cheesy sauce, and it all comes together in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Surf and Turf
A rich and decadent dish that brings together shrimp, steak, and sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy garlic sauce. The contrast between the tender meat and the bright acidity of the tomatoes makes this a restaurant-worthy meal you can make at home.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Surf and Turf
Marinated Mozzarella Balls
A simple appetizer that’s easy to make ahead. Mozzarella balls soak up the flavors of olive oil, garlic, herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy, flavorful snack. Serve with crackers, crostini, or on skewers with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta
A quick, easy meal that brings together pasta with a tangy sun-dried tomato pesto. The thick sauce clings to every bite, making this a great option when you want something simple but full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken
A 30-minute meal where chicken simmers in a creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce that’s great over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. The sauce comes together quickly, making this a solid option for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken
Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
A no-fuss pasta salad that uses reserved oil from the sun-dried tomatoes to make a flavorful dressing. Minimal chopping required, but the bold flavors make this dish stand out at any potluck or picnic.
Get the Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
Creamy Cavolo Nero Pasta
A simple, creamy pasta that highlights the rich flavors of Tuscan kale and sun-dried tomatoes. Made in just 20 minutes, it’s an easy way to put that forgotten jar of tomatoes to good use.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cavolo Nero Pasta
Sundried Tomato Chicken Pasta
This pasta dish brings together tender chicken, a creamy sauce, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes in just 30 minutes. A great weeknight dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sundried Tomato Chicken Pasta
Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta
A comforting pasta dish where chorizo adds a smoky kick, balanced by the tang of sun-dried tomatoes. The creamy sauce ties it all together for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
