Creamy Pesto Pasta Recipe
This creamy pesto pasta recipe is the perfect mix of comfort food and elevated flavor. It’s quick and easy to make for a busy weeknight dinner, but the combination of basil pesto, Parmesan, and a silky cream sauce gives it a rich, fresh flavor that feels a little more special. Plus, the whole dish comes together in about 30 minutes!
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 600kcal
Ingredients
- 10 ounces dried pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅓ cup basil pesto
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring water to boil and generously season with salt. Cook pasta according to the instructions until al-dente. When done, drain the liquid and set the pasta aside.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt 3 tbsp butter, then add 3 tbsp all-purpose flour. Whisk it together and let it cook for about a minute or until everything is well incorporates and the mixture starts to bubble.
- Add 3 cups milk, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp onion powder, and ½ tsp garlic powder.
- Stir and cook on low/medium heat for about 10 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken. Make sure to stir every few minutes, so the bottom of the skillet doesn’t burn.
- Then add ⅓ cup basil pesto and ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir will until combined.
- When the sauce thickens and coats a spoon, add precooked pasta and fold it in. Let it cook together for a couple of minutes to bring the flavors together.
Notes
- Salt the pasta water generously for better overall flavor.
- Cook the pasta just to al dente so it doesn’t get too soft in the sauce.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-grated cheese.
- Stir the sauce often so it doesn’t scorch on the bottom of the skillet.
- If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of milk when serving or reheating.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 600kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 826mg | Potassium: 461mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1074IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 427mg | Iron: 1mg
