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Creamy Pesto Pasta

A quick and comforting creamy pesto pasta recipe that the whole family will love, ready in just 15 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or bowties)
  • 2-3 tablespoons pesto (storebought or homemade) Adjust based on taste preference
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream Can substitute with half and half for a lighter version
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Plus more for serving
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced Optional, but adds great flavor
  • to taste Salt and black pepper
Optional Add-ins
  • as desired cooked chicken, sautéed shrimp, spinach, peas, or roasted tomatoes Add for a heartier meal

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil the pasta in a large pot of salted water until just tender. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. In the same pot or a skillet over medium-low heat, warm a small splash of olive oil and sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds without browning.
  3. Pour in the heavy cream and stir in the pesto, keeping the heat gentle to avoid bubbling.
  4. Add the grated Parmesan and stir until it melts. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches a silky consistency.
  5. Return the drained pasta to the pot, stirring until every piece is coated. Season with black pepper and adjust salt if necessary.
  6. If using, stir in extras like spinach until wilted, or add cooked chicken or shrimp. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

For best flavor, save some pasta water before draining. Storebought pesto is recommended for a quick meal. For variations, try adding frozen peas or baby spinach at the end.