Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta (Best Easy One Pot Recipe)
Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta is a delightful dish that combines rich flavors and vibrant colors, making it the perfect choice for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings. This easy one-pot recipe features tender penne pasta enveloped in a luscious creamy pesto sauce, enhanced by fresh vegetables for added nutrition. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal cleanup, this dish is not only delicious but also accessible for cooks of all skill levels. Customize it with your favorite proteins like grilled chicken or turkey to make it even heartier. Enjoy this comforting Italian-inspired meal that promises to satisfy the whole family!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 300 g penne pasta (cooked al dente)
- 2 tsp salt (divided)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 red onion (diced)
- 6 tbsp pesto sauce
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 2 cups heavy cream (35%)
- 1 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- Freshly chopped parsley (a handful)
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Once cooked, reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- In the same pot used for the pasta, add a bit of olive oil if desired. Sauté the diced green bell pepper and red onion over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes until they soften.
- Once the vegetables are softened, lower the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream, pesto sauce, reserved pasta water, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until combined.
- Add the drained penne pasta back into the pot and stir gently until all pasta is coated with creamy sauce. If needed, add more reserved pasta water for desired consistency.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan if using. Enjoy your delicious creamy pesto sauce pasta!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 130mg