.jpg "Cheesecake Factory Copycat: Sundried Tomato Fettuccine [Lightened Up] via tablefortwoblog.com")
.jpg "Cheesecake Factory Copycat: Sundried Tomato Fettuccine [Lightened Up] via tablefortwoblog.com")
.jpg "Cheesecake Factory Copycat: Sundried Tomato Fettuccine [Lightened Up] via tablefortwoblog.com")
Holy wow. I’m still recovering from this weekend. I think I’m getting too old to drink like I used to in college. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll have seen that this past Saturday was my bachelorette party! I’ll be blogging about it very soon! I had way too much fun and went a tad overboard on the drinking. Never again, never again. My tolerance just isn’t what it used to be. I’m seriously paying for it! I spent most of Sunday morning in bed with a raging headache and all I wanted to do was sleep. The only thing that got me out of bed was when Jason went to pick up some greasy take-out pizza from our favorite local pizza joint. It never tasted so good.
A few months ago, me and two of my girlfriends decided to meet up for happy hour at Cheesecake Factory (have you guys seen their new happy hour specials? They’re kind of ridiculously awesome. I know Cheesecake Factory is so generic, but their drink specials and the appetizers they have during happy hour are pretty well worth it). We got some drinks, some apps, and of course, we had to get some carbs. My FAVORITE pasta is their sundried tomato & chicken fettuccine. Of course it’s loaded with cream and a whole ‘lotta bad, but I can’t ever resist it. It’s a huge guilty pleasure. Plus, I feel better about the whole situation because I know I can’t ever eat the entire thing so really, it isn’t that bad, right?
I wanted to recreate it at home and lighten it up a bit. You guys are in for a TREAT. This pasta is SO creamy and scrumptious. Jason and I were shoveling it in our mouths. Very attractive. You won’t miss the boatload of cream and best of all, you won’t be feeling too guilty. Now, I didn’t do the nutritional information on this so don’t yell at me if you end up doing it and it’s not lightened up enough to your standards. To me, it’s a TON lightened up compared to what you get from Cheesecake Factory. Plus, I added in spinach (you could add kale if you wanted or whatever greens) – greens always counteract everything! ;)
Anyway, I really really hope you make this pasta dish. You will absolutely love it just as much as Jason and I did. It’s very close to Cheesecake Factory’s sundried tomato fettuccine (I omitted the chicken, but you can add it if you’d like) but you won’t have to work two times as hard at the gym after it!
Cheesecake Factory Copycat: Sundried Tomato Fettuccine {Lightened Up}
Yield: 3-4 servings | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
3/4 pound dried fettuccine
1 cup reserved pasta water
4 tbsp. olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup sundried tomato halves, sliced
1 (14.5 ounce) can of petite diced tomatoes, drained
3 tbsp. tomato paste
1/2 tbsp. granulated sugar
1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup light sour cream
1 1/2 cups baby spinach
Salt & pepper, to taste
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions:
- In a large stockpot, bring water to a boil, add 1 tbsp. of olive oil then add your fettuccine. Cook according to direction on the box then drain (reserving 1 cup of the pasta water) and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt and light sour cream, mix together with a spoon and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, add the remaining 3 tbsp. of olive oil to the skillet over medium high heat. Once the oil is heated up, add garlic and sundried tomato halves. Sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Turn the heat down to medium low and gently add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and granulated sugar. Stir until well-incorporated.
- Swiftly whisk in the Greek yogurt and sour cream mixture. You’ll want to slowly add it in but whisk fast to get it all incorporated well. After all of it has been added and combined, bring the heat up to medium high and let it simmer and thicken for about 5-7 minutes.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper, to taste, then add in the baby spinach. Once the spinach has wilted, you may add in the cooked pasta and turn off the heat.
- Toss to coat the pasta. If the mixture seems too thick, this is where you can slowly add the reserved pasta water (DO NOT add the full cup all at once, pour slowly and stir and see if you need more).
- You may top with crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
- Serve hot.
Note: you must NOT omit the sour cream in this recipe. I have already done the testing and failed with just Greek yogurt in the sauce. Since the Greek yogurt contains zero (or low) fat, it will curdle as soon as you add it to the hot mixture (since we aren’t taking the time to temper it). To ensure that it doesn’t curdle, you must mix the sour cream with the Greek yogurt. Sour cream contains fat and this fat will prevent the Greek yogurt from curdling and separating. If you have experience cooking with Greek yogurt and are comfortable with omitting the sour cream and replacing it with all Greek yogurt, by all means, go for it. However, I cannot promise you success as I have done this twice and my sauce has separated. The only success I got was when I mixed my Greek yogurt with sour cream.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Cooking with yogurt is definitely tricky – love your tip about combining it with sour cream to make sure it doesn’t curdle! This looks insanely good!
This looks SO delicious! The sun-dried tomatoes in my fridge have been crying out to me ever since I opened this page on my browser…and I love how the ingredients are all things that I almost always have on hand!
This sounds so delicious – I can never resist a big plate of pasta!
This looks delish! Going on my meal plan for next week for sure.
This sounds so yummy! If you want to lighten it up more I would suggest trying to substitute some of the olive oil because 6 tbsp is already 1,000 calories. Of course it is partially good fat but still quite a bit of it! Can’t wait to try this!
Bachelorette fun!! Hope you had a great time. Sounds like it:-)
And this is absolutely lighted up! Looks fantastic. I have a soft spot for sundried tomatoes, and am constantly on the prowl for new, flavorful pasta dishes. Sold!
PS. Do you know why the cheesecake is “cliche”. Because deep down, you can’t not love it! Guilty pleasure-couldn’t have said it better.
OH my goodness. I can’t wait to make this!! Love so many of the pasta Dishes at the Cheesecake Factory but not loving the calories!
I can’t wait to hear more about the weekend. It looked like so much fun… minus the major hangover. Those aren’t pleasant at all. While I loathe tomatoes… this pasta looks incredible!
ha ha… I’m the same way. I can’t remember where I over indulged last but it made me realize that I’m not as young as I use to be! ;) hope your bachelorette party was fab. This pasta looks fab. I need to go checkout there happy hour special. My favorite martini ever is their strawberry martini.
That looks so good! I was just thinking about a sundried tomato alfredo sauce the other day.
That is one good-looking plate of pasta–I’m In!!
Oh yum! Any pasta with tomato is a win in my books!
Ah, awesome! One of my ALL time what-would-you-eat-if-you-had-one-day-to-live meal choices is Fettucine alfredo, and even better, with sundried tomatoes! It’s my ultimate comfort food, and don’t worry, I shovel it in my mouth whenever it’s around… And now a lightened up version… yippeee!! I can’t. wait. to. try. this!
I have never tried this one at Cheesecake Factory but I’ll take a lightened up version any day! I love it.
I’ve never had this dish at the Cheesecake Factory, but your version looks to die for! I love creamy pasta dishes and the fact that this is “lightened up” makes it even better! Love!
Such a delicious looking pasta!
I want a big bowl of this pasta!
This is gorgeous! I love that you used yogurt and sour cream in place of the cream.
Pasta with minimal guilt – I’m so loving this. And I’m pretty sure I’d be shoveling it into my face too. Ben is so totally lucky to see that everyday… :)
This dish makes me so freaking happy! Any excuse to eat a big bowl of pasta is the best!! Can’t wait for the bach recap. It looks like you had a blast!
I love your copycat and fake-out take-out recipes! This one looks delicious and can’t wait to make it. I love their Cajun Jambalaya Pasta, please copy and skinnify that one!!!
Huuuuuuurts so good.
I seriously CANNOT believe how good this looks right now. I would even eat a big bowl for breakfast!!
Love the lightened up version!
Oh yah!! Love this girl!
i have never had this at CC Factory but I can already tell how fabulous it is. I am going to certainly going to try this- looks so gooood!! I crave greasyyyy food to cure my hangover as well :) hope you are feel better.
Oh this looks fab Julie! I know what you mean about not being able to drink like you used too. I’m always quite happy to volunteer to be DD so I have an excuse not to go overboard and yet not look totally lame too :)
Is it too weird to say I love you in the comment? Idc if it is THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! I love this pasta at Cheesecake Factory but my college budget means I don’t go too often. But now you’re telling me I can make it at home?? And it’s less bad for me? You are the best :D
P.S Glad you had fun at your party!
This looks delish!! It is going on my list of recipes to try! Thank you for this!
I’ve only been to the Cheesecake Factory like twice but I loved it both times. Their pasta is sooo good. Well.. most all pasta is good but you know what I mean. This copycat pasta is just perfect! I was just telling someone the other day that I needed to find some light pasta dishes, this may help me out :)
This sounds amaaaazing. I need this in my life, like NOW. Gorgeous photos, as always!
I love sundried tomatoes! This is my kind of pasta (once again, Greek yogurt can do no wrong!).
This is my kinda meal.
My tummy is grumbling just looking at this pasta. I need to have it ASAP! Haha, and I cant wait to hear about your bach party! Looked so much fun! I hope youre feeling better today :)
Oh YUM! I actually love Cheesecake Factory – it’s one of the few chain restaurants that I think has actually really tasty food. And this looks SO good!!
I think it’s some kind of rule that you have to wake up hungover after your bachelorette party, I think it’s good luck.
And this pasts looks perfect!
Seriously so excited this is finally up! I am already drooling :)
Oh my gosh this is fantastic
Love pasta. Love the cheesecake factory! Already added this one to the menu plan! Love your tip about cooking with greek yogurt! Glad you had a blast at your bachelorette! Can’t wait to hear (read!) all about it! :)
Whose counting calories on this one??? It looks awesome.Damn!
I love cooking with yogurt-so much healthier! I can only imagine how much better this pasta dish is made from Table for Two vs. Cheesecake Factory (nothing against them!). Love this!
This looks amazing!
I’m all about sun-dried tomato fettuccine! This looks great!
Do you happen to have a calorie content per serving? I can’t find it.
I die.
I love the Cheesecake Factory too, and always feel like such a bad food blogger for wanting to eat there! Glad to know I’m not alone in my love for them.
This pasta looks amazing!! Lightened up means I can eat the whole batch, right?? :)
Your party looked totally fun!! And how the heck have I missed this at cheesecake?(Probably because the menu has 50 choices!)
I’ve never been to Cheesecake Factory but this looks amazing!
I love me some cheesecake factory! and I hear ya on the drinking – I just cant seem to keep up with my 21year old self!!
This inspires me to try cooking more with yogurt…I love lightened up versions of these delicious restaurant dishes – particularly when it comes to pasta! This looks so yummy!
I love pasta da vinci at Cheesecake Factory…just in case you’re looking for other ideas… ; )
I love the sound of this lightened up version! the pictures look mouthwatering!
That bachelorette party looked super fun, how perfect! And this pasta? Yum. I love sundried tomatoes!
I don’t have any tolerance any more either. Oh well, I guess we are just getting old, lol!
I have not had this dish from CF yet, but it sounds awesome. I know their dishes are just obnoxious with the calories. Your lighter version still looks so perfectly creamy!
I’m already hungry at 3am. Love the addition of yogurt in this pasta recipe. Yum!!
This is a pregnant girl’s dream!
Love this pasta. Never had it at Cheesecake Factory before, but I love the lightened up version. Already printed to make soon!
Omg! I want THIS for dinner! I actually worked at the Cheesecake Factory in college. Totally love how you lightened this recipe up.
Julie, I just LOVE your lightened up dinner recipes!!! I’ve never even had this at cheesecake before but now it is all i can think about. I hear ya about getting too old to party like we did in college. 5 beers and then put me to bed. My college self would be SO embarrassed of my 27 year old self.
Can’t wait to try this! It is one of my favorite dishes!
Just made this for lunch! Added lots of red pepper flakes and topped it with a little goat cheese ( I know it’s a “light” recipe, but I couldn’t resist!) DELICIOUS thank you for sharing
I’ve never had this pasta at Cheesecake Factory before, but am so ready to stay in and try this recipe instead!
Should I use sundried tomatoes in oil?
No, it’d be too oily. I used these: http://www.target.com/p/bella-sun-luci-sun-dried-tomato-halves-3oz/-/A-13186894
This looks so creamy and delicious. Everyone in my family would love this, veggie and non-veggies. I can’t wait to try. Thanks!
this looks AMAZING. love that you used greek yogurt!
OMG. This is my favorite pasta from Cheesecake factory! I`m so excited to try this out! :D
Yum! Pasta is my all time favorite and I love sun-dried tomatoes! Must try this recipe!
Love how you lightened up this dish! It look fabulous!!
I have to confess I’ve never had the Cheesecake Factory version of this dish, but yours looks insanely delicious!! I love lightened up version of restaurant favorites, can’t wait to try it :)
This may seem like a funny question, but how much cream would I use if I wanted to make the big-booty version of the recipe?
Haha, I would say about 1 cup of heavy cream.
I made this last night and it was really tasty! Thanks for the great (and easy) recipe!
I just introduced my husband to sun dried tomatoes, and this sounds perfect for the next installment. Thanks for lightening it up though! I love Cheesecake Factory but they can be deadly.
This looks so creamy and delicious! And I love that you made it a lighter version!! Definitely trying this soon!
This looks so good. Now I want fettuccini, Pronto!
I made this tonight and my kids and husband loved it! The only thing we changed is we actually used roasted red peppers instead of sun dried tomatoes n crushed tomatoes instead of petit cut! My husband and 1 daughter hate tomato chunks in their meals! This was a keeper recipe for sure! Thanks!
Made this tonight and it was amazing! I used only greek yogurt no sour cream, and whole wheat pasta! It tasted so good and it was super filling! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
I couldnt get past the taste of the greek yogurt :/ I think i’d only like the fattened version lol however my husband absolutely loved it! He said he could eat it for breakfast lunch and dinner. Thanks for the recipe.
Yum!! I also make a version of this, except I use a bit of light cream cheese and half & half. Not quite as light as yours, I’m sure, but it has to be lighter than CF’s!
I came across this recipe on pinterest recently and tried it today. It is SO DELICIOUS that my picky little 4yr old finished her plate. New recipe to be cooked more often forfamily. Enough said!
I just made this for my husband a week ago and he devoured it! didn’t even believe me when I said it was a “lightened up” recipe. he talked so much about it, my mom is having me make it tonight. I can’t wait, it’s so rich & yummy!
Found this yesterday. Made it for dinner tonight. It was delicious!
Hello, I found your blog just by chance as I was looking for Italian recipes, I love this recipe and have eaten something similar at Meme’s Restaurant. I wanted to let you know that you are one of 4 bloggers I have featured this week in my Tasty Bites feature. Hope you can stop by and link up any of your favorite recipes Tasty Bites Tuesday
Bon Apetite
I worked at The Cheesecake Factory a few years ago and fell in love with pretty much the entire menu while there. This is one of the go-to dishes on my list. I actually know how to make it the way they do at the restaurant, but after making this one last night for dinner, this recipe will be a staple in our regular menu at home! So delicious!! (And definitely better for you!)