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Creamy Pesto Pasta

Creamy Pesto Pasta is a delightful dish that combines the freshness of pesto with a rich, creamy sauce, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Skillet
  • Food Processor

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 400 grams Pasta Choose your favorite type, such as fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti.

Pesto Sauce

  • 1 cup Pesto Sauce Homemade or store-bought.

Cream

  • 1 cup Heavy Cream Adds creaminess to the sauce.

Cheese

  • 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese Freshly grated for best flavor.

Oil

  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

Garlic

  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced for flavor.

Seasoning

  • Salt and Pepper To taste.

Tomatoes

  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Halved for freshness.

Basil

  • Fresh Basil Leaves For garnish.

Instructions

  • 1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  • 2. Prepare the Pesto Sauce: If making homemade pesto, blend basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan in a food processor. Drizzle in olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  • 3. Sauté Garlic: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • 4. Add Cream: Lower heat and pour in heavy cream. Stir and let simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
  • 5. Incorporate Pesto: Stir in the pesto sauce, mixing well with the cream.
  • 6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed for consistency.
  • 7. Add Tomatoes: Gently fold in halved cherry tomatoes and warm through.
  • 8. Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with Parmesan and basil, and serve hot.

Notes

Feel free to add seasonal vegetables or proteins for variations. Adjust quantities based on your preferences.