Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta (Best Easy One Pot Recipe) Recipe
A rich and flavorful creamy pesto sauce pasta that’s easy to prepare in one pot. This comforting dish combines al dente penne pasta with sautéed vegetables, aromatic pesto, and a luscious cream-based sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight meal that doesn’t compromise on taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 300 g penne pasta (cooked al dente)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 red onion (diced)
- 2 tsp salt (divided)
Sauce Components
- 6 tbsp pesto sauce
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 2 cups heavy cream (35%)
- 1 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Freshly chopped parsley (a handful)
Topping
- Grated Parmesan for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced green bell pepper and red onion with 1 tsp salt. Sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and lightly caramelized. This slow cooking develops deeper and sweeter flavors in the vegetables.
- Prepare the Pesto Sauce: Add the pesto sauce and reserved pasta water to the pan with the sautéed vegetables. Stir to combine and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and some of the water evaporates, intensifying the flavor.
- Create the Creamy Base: In a small bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour with a little warm water to make a smooth slurry. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually stir in the slurry to prevent lumps. Return the pan to medium heat, pour in the heavy cream, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Season the Sauce: Add garlic powder, dried oregano, freshly chopped parsley, and black pepper to the sauce. Stir well and taste; adjust salt and pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the pan and toss gently to coat the pasta in the creamy pesto sauce. Let everything simmer together for about 5 minutes to allow the pasta to fully absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy pesto pasta onto serving plates and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Sautéing the vegetables slowly enhances their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to help achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for topping to add a sharp and creamy finish.
- This recipe can be made vegetarian by ensuring the pesto sauce is free of anchovies and animal rennet.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Adjust seasoning ingredients according to personal preference, adding more herbs or spices as desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: creamy pesto pasta, easy one pot pasta, vegetarian pesto pasta, creamy sauce pasta, Italian pasta recipe, quick dinner pasta
