Can I make this pasta ahead of time?

Yes. The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Cook the pasta fresh when you are ready to serve and toss it with the reheated sauce for the best texture and the freshest presentation. Pasta that sits in cream sauce overnight will absorb the sauce and become softer which some people enjoy but if you prefer the penne to hold its shape and texture, keeping the pasta and sauce separate until serving is the better approach.

Can I use homemade pesto instead of store-bought?

Absolutely and if you have the time to make it we strongly encourage it. Homemade basil pesto made with fresh basil, good olive oil, toasted pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan has a brightness and depth of flavor that most commercial pestos cannot fully replicate. Use it in the same quantity as the store-bought version called for in this recipe.

What pasta shapes work best in this recipe?

Short pasta shapes with ridges or curves work best because they grip the creamy pesto sauce and carry it beautifully in every bite. Penne rigate, rigatoni, fusilli, and farfalle are all excellent choices. Long pasta like spaghetti or linguine will work but does not hold the thick cream sauce as effectively as the short ridged shapes do.

Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta Easy One Pot Dinner Recipe

Name: Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta The Most Delicious and Effortless One Pot Dinner
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 300g Penne Pasta cooked al dente; 2 tsp Salt divided; 1 Green Bell Pepper diced; 1 Red Onion diced; 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; A generous handful of Fresh Parsley chopped; 1 tsp Black Pepper; Grated Parmesan for topping optional

Description

The most delicious and effortless Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta made in one pan with caramelized bell pepper and red onion, rich pesto, heavy cream, and penne pasta. On the table in 30 minutes and absolutely irresistible from the very first bite.

Ingredients

Scale

300g Penne Pasta cooked al dente

2 tsp Salt divided

1 Green Bell Pepper diced

1 Red Onion diced

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

A generous handful of Fresh Parsley chopped

1 tsp Black Pepper

Grated Parmesan for topping optional

Instructions

1. Cook penne in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.

2. Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add diced bell pepper and red onion with 1 tsp salt.

3. Sauté for 10 minutes stirring occasionally until softened and lightly caramelized.

4. Add pesto sauce and reserved pasta water. Stir to combine and simmer 5 minutes until slightly reduced.

5. Whisk flour with a few tablespoons warm water until completely smooth to form a slurry.

6. Remove pan from heat and stir in slurry gradually. Return to medium heat and pour in heavy cream.

7. Simmer 5 to 10 minutes stirring frequently until sauce thickens and coats a spoon.

8. Add garlic powder, oregano, parsley, remaining salt, and black pepper. Stir and adjust seasoning.

9. Add cooked penne and toss to coat. Simmer together 5 minutes until pasta absorbs the sauce.

10. Serve immediately topped with freshly grated Parmesan and extra chopped parsley.

Notes

Always reserve pasta water before draining for the silkiest sauce.

Whisk flour slurry completely smooth before adding to avoid lumps.

Remove pan from heat when adding slurry to prevent clumping.

Use good quality pesto as it is the primary flavor of the entire sauce.

Sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored separately in the refrigerator.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 620
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: creamy pesto sauce pasta, one pot pesto pasta, easy pesto pasta recipe, weeknight pasta dinner