Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta
A creamy, flavorful pasta dish that's easy to prepare in one pot, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta and Vegetables
- 300 g penne pasta (cooked al dente)
- 2 tsp salt (divided)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 red onion (diced)
Creamy Pesto 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
Garnish
- 1 handful freshly chopped parsley
- Grated Parmesan for topping (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat a pot over medium heat and add the diced green bell pepper and red onion. Sauté until they are soft and slightly golden.
- Stir in the pesto sauce, mixing it well with the vegetables.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the heavy cream with flour, garlic powder, and oregano. Pour this into the pot, along with reserved pasta water. Stir to combine.
- Add salt and black pepper to taste. Let it simmer gently until it thickens a little.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the pot, tossing everything together until the pasta is fully coated in sauce.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and, if desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
Notes
This dish pairs wonderfully with garlic bread, a fresh salad, or steamed vegetables. For added flavor, consider topping with extra Parmesan or a squeeze of lemon juice. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for about a month.