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One Pot Creamy Pesto Pasta for Quick Weeknight Dinners

Close-up of creamy pesto pasta made with fusilli in a white bowl, showing vibrant green sauce.
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Make this rich, velvety One Pot Creamy Pesto Pasta. It delivers comfort food flavor with minimal cleanup, perfect for your busy schedule.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup prepared basil pesto sauce
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken or 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

Instructions

  1. Place the pasta, vegetable broth, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes into a large pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cook uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  3. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and basil pesto sauce until fully combined and the sauce is smooth.
  4. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pasta evenly. If using, add cooked chicken or tomatoes now and stir to combine.
  5. Season with salt and black pepper to your preference.
  6. Serve immediately in bowls, topping each serving with extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a brighter flavor, use homemade pesto sauce.
  • If the sauce seems too thick after resting, add a splash of hot water or milk to reach your desired consistency.
  • This recipe is naturally vegetarian; add cooked chicken for a heartier meal.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mayaplate.com/creamy-pesto-pasta-one-pot-pesto-pasta/