Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta (Best Easy One Pot Recipe) Recipe
This Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta is an easy, one-pot recipe that combines sautéed vegetables with a rich, velvety pesto cream sauce. Perfectly cooked penne pasta is simmered in a flavorful blend of pesto, heavy cream, and aromatic seasonings to create a comforting dish that’s quick to prepare and deliciously satisfying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 300 g penne pasta (cooked al dente)
- 2 tsp salt (divided)
Vegetables
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 red onion (diced)
Sauce
- 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)
Optional Toppings
- Grated Parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced green bell pepper and red onion with 1 tsp of salt. Sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and lightly caramelized to deepen their flavor.
- Prepare the Pesto Sauce: Add the pesto sauce and reserved pasta water to the sautéed vegetables. Stir to combine and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the water evaporates.
- Create the Creamy Base: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and a little warm water to make a smooth slurry. Remove the pan from heat and gradually stir in the slurry to avoid lumps. Return the pan to medium heat and pour in the heavy cream. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens.
- Season the Sauce: Add garlic powder, dried oregano, freshly chopped parsley, and black pepper to the sauce. Stir well and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss in the cooked penne pasta and allow everything to simmer together for about 5 minutes so the pasta absorbs the sauce and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pesto pasta, and optionally top with freshly grated Parmesan and garnish with extra parsley for a fresh finish. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Make sure to cook the pasta al dente to maintain a pleasant texture after simmering in the sauce.
- Use freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant flavor boost.
- Adjust the amount of heavy cream if you prefer a thicker or thinner sauce.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use a vegan pesto sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to help the sauce adhere well to the pasta and enhance creaminess.
- Grated Parmesan is optional but adds a wonderful savory finish.
Keywords: Creamy pesto pasta, one pot pasta, easy pasta recipe, pesto sauce, creamy pasta, Italian pasta dish, penne pasta recipe
