Description
One Pot Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta is a quick and easy dish combining fresh basil pesto, cream, and cheese in one pot for a rich, flavorful, and comforting meal. It’s perfect for busy nights with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or any short pasta)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 1/2 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup spinach, or 1 cup cooked chicken
Instructions
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add dry pasta, water or broth, and salt. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10–12 minutes or until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in basil pesto and cream, mixing until smooth and creamy.
- Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and incorporated.
- Season with black pepper to taste. Adjust salt if needed.
- If using extras like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or chicken, stir them in and cook for 1–2 minutes until warmed through.
- Serve hot, topped with more Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Use sun-dried tomato or arugula pesto for a flavor variation.
- Add spinach, kale, grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for more nutrition.
- Top with pine nuts or walnuts for added texture.
- Use whole milk or half-and-half for a lighter version of the sauce.
- Reheat gently with a splash of cream or broth to maintain creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
