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One-Pot Creamy Pesto Pasta for Quick Weeknight Dinners

Close-up of creamy pesto pasta made with fusilli noodles, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
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Make this rich, velvety pesto pasta in just one pot. This easy recipe delivers comforting, cheesy flavor in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect simple pasta sauce for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 4 cups water or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 cup prepared basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken
  • Optional: 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Instructions

  1. Place the pasta, water or broth, minced garlic, salt, and pepper into a large pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, uncovered, for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir frequently, especially near the end, to create a starchy sauce base.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and the basil pesto until fully combined and the sauce is smooth.
  5. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and velvety. If using, add the cooked chicken now.
  6. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or milk until you reach your desired consistency.
  7. Serve immediately in bowls. Top each serving with extra grated Parmesan cheese and optional halved cherry tomatoes.

Notes

  • For the best creamy texture, use a good quality pesto. If your pesto is very thick, you may need a little extra liquid (cream or broth) to thin the sauce.
  • This recipe is naturally vegetarian. To make it a heartier meal, add cooked chicken or white beans when incorporating the cream.
  • If you prefer a sharper cheese flavor, substitute 1/4 cup of the Parmesan with Pecorino Romano.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://gourmetgaze.com/creamy-one-pot-pesto-pasta-recipe/