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One-Pot Creamy Pesto Pasta for Quick Weeknight Dinners

A close-up of creamy pesto pasta made with penne, generously topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
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Welcome to My Kitchen! I am sharing my favorite Easy One-Pot Creamy Pesto Pasta recipe. This dish delivers rich, velvety flavor in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect simple weeknight pasta solution with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 4 cups water or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Place the pasta, water or broth, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) into a large pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook according to the pasta package directions, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  3. Once the pasta is nearly tender (al dente), uncover the pot. Most of the liquid should be absorbed or evaporated.
  4. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and basil pesto sauce until combined.
  5. Stir in the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or milk until you reach your desired consistency.
  6. Season with salt and black pepper to your taste.
  7. Serve immediately in bowls, topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute half the water/broth with chicken broth.
  • If you want to add protein, stir in 1 cup of cooked, shredded chicken during the last step.
  • You can make this recipe gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free pasta shape.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/easy-one-pot-creamy-pesto-pasta/