The Best Homemade Pesto Pasta Recipe for Weeknight Magic

Crafting a delectable pesto pasta brings pure culinary joy to any kitchen adventure.

Verdant basil leaves mingle with robust pine nuts, creating a sauce that whispers Mediterranean charm.

Garlic and parmesan cheese dance together, building layers of irresistible flavor.

Silky noodles become the perfect canvas for this vibrant green masterpiece.

Fresh ingredients transform an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Creamy and aromatic, this recipe promises to transport you straight to the sunny hills of Italy.

Twirl your fork and let the magic begin!

Pesto Pasta Recipe That Bursts With Flavor

• Savor Quick Comfort: Dive into a deliciously satisfying meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout, perfect for busy weeknights when you need a tasty solution.
• Customize with Ease: Transform this recipe by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or keeping it vegetarian, making it a versatile dish that adapts to your mood and dietary preferences.
• Impress Without Stress: Create a restaurant-worthy pasta that looks and tastes gourmet but requires minimal cooking skills, allowing even novice cooks to feel like culinary pros.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Packed with rich pesto, creamy sauce, and hearty mushrooms, this pasta delivers a flavor combination that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients For Pesto Pasta Recipe

• Penne Pasta: A classic pasta shape with tube-like structure that holds sauce beautifully.
• Basil Pesto: A vibrant green sauce with rich herbal and nutty flavor profile.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess and smoothness to the pasta sauce.

• Mushrooms, Sundried Tomatoes: Provide earthy depth and concentrated sweet-tangy notes to the dish.
• Garlic: Offers a robust and pungent flavor that enhances the overall taste of the pasta.

• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers a salty, sharp finishing touch that complements the creamy pesto sauce.

How To Make Pesto Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Boil Pasta To Perfection

Cook penne pasta in salted boiling water until it reaches al dente texture. Drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside, ready for its flavor transformation.

Step 2: Sauté Veggie Companions

• Sliced mushrooms
• Chopped sundried tomatoes

Sauté these flavor-packed ingredients until they become tender and develop a rich, golden color, which takes about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3: Unleash Garlic Magic

Add minced garlic to the skillet and stir quickly. Cook for about one minute until the kitchen fills with an irresistible aromatic fragrance.

Step 4: Create Creamy Pesto Sauce

Pour in basil pesto and heavy cream, stirring them together. Let the mixture simmer gently for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and create a luscious, velvety sauce.

Step 5: Marry Pasta With Sauce

Add the cooked penne to the skillet, tossing and turning until every pasta piece is generously coated with the creamy pesto sauce.

Step 6: Garnish And Serve

Transfer the pasta to serving plates and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top. Enjoy your restaurant-worthy pasta immediately while it’s warm and inviting.

Helpful Tips For Pesto Pasta

• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for a lighter, dairy-free alternative that still maintains a creamy texture.
• Roast mushrooms before sautéing to enhance their umami flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Add protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to transform this dish into a complete and satisfying meal.
• Reserve some pasta water to help create a silkier sauce and help the pesto cling better to the pasta.
• Experiment with different pasta shapes like fusilli or rotini to catch more sauce in their twists and curves.

Tasty Ways To Change Pesto Pasta

• Veggie Power Pasta: Replace mushrooms with roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach for a colorful vegetarian version packed with nutrients.
• Mediterranean Magic: Swap sundried tomatoes for kalamata olives, add crumbled feta cheese, and incorporate fresh oregano for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Protein Punch Pasta: Include grilled chicken breast or sautéed shrimp to transform the dish into a hearty protein-rich meal that satisfies hunger.
• Spicy Herb Sensation: Mix in red pepper flakes, use extra garlic, and garnish with fresh basil leaves to create a bold and zesty pesto pasta experience.

What Pairs Well With Pesto Pasta

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, light-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy pesto sauce and enhance the herbal basil notes.
• Cheese Companion: Serve with a small plate of aged Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano to highlight the pasta's rich, nutty undertones and provide a delightful textural contrast.
• Fresh Salad Match: Create a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the dish's richness and add a bright, peppery freshness that balances the creamy pesto.
• Herb Garnish Boost: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley on top to intensify the herbal flavors and add a vibrant, aromatic finish to the pasta dish.

How To Store Pesto Pasta

• Store leftover pesto pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odors from affecting the flavor.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of water or extra cream to prevent drying out. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through evenly.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a little olive oil or cream to restore moisture. Stir gently to prevent sticking and distribute heat evenly.
• Freeze pesto pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain texture and flavor.

Pesto Pasta Questions Answered

• What ingredients make this pesto pasta unique?

Sundried tomatoes and mushrooms add rich, earthy flavors that complement the classic basil pesto, creating a more complex and satisfying dish.

• Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, this pesto pasta is vegetarian-friendly, using ingredients like mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, and cheese that provide protein and depth of flavor.

• How can I make this dish more nutritious?

Consider adding some protein like grilled chicken or tofu, or mix in some spinach or roasted vegetables to boost the nutritional value of the pasta.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While penne works great, you can substitute with other shapes like fusilli, rotini, or farfalle that hold sauce well and provide a similar texture.

Pesto Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy pesto pasta delivers Italian comfort straight to your kitchen, blending fresh basil, garlic, and parmesan into a silky sauce. Weeknight dinners become gourmet experiences with this simple, aromatic dish that invites you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 1 cup basil pesto
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced

Proteins and Dairy:

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Additional Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
2. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, then introduce sliced mushrooms and sundried tomatoes, sautéing until they develop a golden-brown caramelization and become tender, roughly 5-7 minutes.
3. Reduce heat and introduce minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for 30-45 seconds without browning.
4. Pour basil pesto and heavy cream into the skillet, stirring gently to create a harmonious, creamy sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes, melding the flavors together.
5. Gently fold the drained pasta into the pesto cream sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is luxuriously coated with the vibrant, herb-infused mixture.
6. Transfer the pesto pasta to serving plates and generously garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, creating a delectable finishing touch.

Notes

• Elevate the dish’s nutrition by adding roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach for extra vitamins and fiber.
• Make the recipe gluten-free by substituting regular penne with chickpea or rice pasta, maintaining the same creamy texture and flavor profile.
• Reduce the calorie content by replacing heavy cream with Greek yogurt or light coconut milk, creating a lighter yet still luxurious sauce.
• Enhance protein intake by incorporating grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu, transforming the pasta into a more substantial meal.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 650 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 67 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg