Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta (Easy One-Pot Recipe) Recipe
This Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta is an easy one-pot recipe that combines sautéed vegetables, rich pesto, and a luscious cream sauce for a comforting and flavorful dish. Perfectly cooked penne pasta is tossed in a creamy pesto-based sauce enriched with garlic, oregano, and fresh parsley. This simple yet delicious meal is quick to prepare and ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Pasta and Vegetables
- 300 g penne pasta (cooked al dente)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 red onion (diced)
- 2 tsp salt (divided)
Sauce Ingredients
- 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)
Toppings (Optional)
- Grated Parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced green bell pepper and red onion along with 1 tsp salt. Sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and lightly caramelized to develop deep flavors.
- Prepare the Pesto Sauce: Stir in the pesto sauce and reserved pasta water into the sautéed vegetables. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and some of the water evaporates.
- Create the Creamy Base: In a small cup or bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour with a little warm water to make a smooth slurry. Remove the pan from heat and gradually stir in the slurry to prevent lumps. Return the pan to medium heat and pour in the heavy cream. Simmer and stir often for 5–10 minutes 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 adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked al dente penne pasta into the sauce. Toss well and let everything simmer together for about 5 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pesto pasta and, if desired, top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with extra parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Enjoy! Serve immediately while warm and creamy for the best taste.
Notes
- Do not rush sautéing the vegetables as longer cooking develops deeper flavor.
- Use reserved pasta water to help adjust the sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta.
- Whisk the flour well with water before adding to avoid lumps in the creamy sauce.
- Heavy cream adds richness but can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Parmesan topping is optional but enhances the flavor and adds a nice texture contrast.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta and a gluten-free flour substitute.
