Creamy Pesto Pasta Recipe
Ready in 20 minutes, this creamy basil pesto pasta recipe is perfect for any occasion. You only need a few ingredients to make this easy pasta recipe.
Servings: 6
Calories: 411kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup pesto more if desired
- Freshly grated parmesan to top optional
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta in salty water according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Saute the onion until translucent. Add in the garlic and cook for a few minutes.
- Add the pesto and stir to combine. Lower the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes. Add ¾ cup pasta water to the pan and bring it to a simmer. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes to thicken up a bit.
- Add the drained pasta to the pesto sauce and toss to make sure it's well coated. If the pasta looks dry, add more pesto and pasta water.
- Serve warm with grated parmesan.
Video
Notes
- I prefer spaghetti for this recipe but other types of pasta including linguine, penne and rigatoni work too.
- You can use my homemade pesto recipe or use store-bought pesto.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, add a couple tablespoons of water and reheat over medium heat for 10-20 minutes.
- Serve as is or with some grilled chicken, Italian skillet chicken, Mediterranean shrimp or balsamic chicken.
Nutrition
Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 199mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 417IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg