Creamy Pesto Pasta (Quick & Versatile One-Pan Recipe)
A luxuriously creamy pasta dish that combines the vibrant flavors of pesto with a rich, velvety sauce – ready in just 30 minutes!
KEY INFO
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty: Easy
- Diet: Vegetarian (vegan options available)
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Large pot or deep skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Colander
- Grater
- Alternative: Use a Dutch oven for a true one-pot method
INGREDIENTS
For the Pasta:
- 450g (1lb) pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil or butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 240ml (1 cup) heavy cream
- 120ml (½ cup) pesto
- 60g (½ cup) grated parmesan
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Extra parmesan
- Red pepper flakes
- Cherry tomatoes
- Pine nuts
METHOD
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to boil
- Cook pasta until al dente (about 8-10 minutes)
TIP: Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining - Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat
- Add garlic, cook until golden and fragrant (30 seconds)
- Pour in cream and pesto, simmer on low heat (2 minutes)
- Add parmesan, stir until melted and smooth
- Toss in cooked pasta, adding reserved water as needed for desired consistency
- Season with salt and pepper, garnish as desired
CRUCIAL TIPS
- Never let cream boil – keep heat low
- Salt pasta water like the sea
- Reserve pasta water – it’s liquid gold for the sauce
- Use room temperature cream to prevent splitting
STORAGE & VARIATIONS
Storage:
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Reheat gently with splash of cream
Common Variations:
- Vegan: Use coconut cream and nutritional yeast
- Protein: Add grilled chicken or shrimp
- Gluten-free: Use GF pasta
Scaling:
- Recipe easily halves or doubles
- Adjust cream-to-pesto ratio to taste
Avoid These Mistakes:
- Overcooking pasta
- Boiling the cream sauce
- Not reserving pasta water
- Using cold cream straight from fridge
The key to perfect creamy pesto pasta lies in timing and temperature control. Keep your heat gentle, your pasta al dente, and your ingredients at room temperature for the silkiest sauce imaginable.
