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One-Pot Creamy Pesto Pasta Ready in 25 Minutes

Close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy pesto pasta, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
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Make this simple one-pot creamy pesto pasta for a quick dinner on busy weeknights. This recipe uses minimal cleanup and delivers incredible flavor with basil pesto, Parmesan cheese, and optional additions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 350 g pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 160 g basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 200 ml heavy cream or double cream
  • 80 g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: Cooked chicken breast or shrimp for protein

Instructions

  1. Place the pasta, olive oil, minced garlic, and enough water to cover the pasta by about one inch into a large pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is nearly al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 12 to 15 minutes.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the basil pesto, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese until a smooth, creamy sauce forms.
  5. Add the lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir well to combine everything.
  6. If you are adding chicken or shrimp, stir them in now to heat through.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  8. Serve this easy weeknight pasta immediately. You can find more quick and easy pasta ideas on our Pinterest account.

Notes

  • For an extra gourmet weeknight meal feel, toast some pine nuts and sprinkle them over the top before serving.
  • If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or regular water until you reach your desired consistency.
  • This recipe is naturally vegetarian if you skip the optional protein.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/creamy-pesto-pasta/