Description
Creamy pesto pasta is a quick, one-pot recipe loaded with vibrant basil pesto, parmesan cheese, and a silky cream sauce—perfect for weeknights or gatherings.
Ingredients
Pasta (penne or fusilli) – 12 oz
Fresh basil leaves – 2 cups, packed
Garlic – 2 cloves
Parmesan cheese – ½ cup, grated
Pine nuts or walnuts – ½ cup, toasted
Heavy cream – 1 cup
Olive oil – ⅓ cup
Salt – to taste
Black pepper – to taste
Reserved pasta water – ½ to 1 cup
Instructions
1. Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
2. In a food processor, blend basil, garlic, nuts, parmesan, salt, and pepper.
3. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while blending until smooth.
4. Return pasta to the pot over low heat. Add pesto and heavy cream.
5. Mix well, adding reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
6. Stir until all pasta is coated in the creamy pesto sauce.
7. Serve with extra parmesan or red pepper flakes on top.
Notes
You can replace pine nuts with walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds.
Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or mushrooms for a protein boost.
Use spinach or arugula along with basil for a twist.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently with extra cream or water.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: creamy pesto pasta, one pot pesto pasta, basil cream pasta