This easy recipe for Creamy Pesto Pasta is a family favorite and is so easy to make! This delicious dinner option is made with pesto stirred into an alfredo sauce and tossed with perfectly cooked pasta.
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❤️ Why you'll love it
- You can make your own alfredo sauce and your own pesto, or use store-bought pesto and sauce.
- It's a great recipe made with simple ingredients for busy weeknights and one the whole family will love to see on the table.
- You can turn this creamy pasta recipe into a complete meal by adding diced cooked chicken breasts or cooked shrimp.
- The creamy pesto sauce is packed with flavor and it will become one of your families most requested favorite recipe!
🥘 Ingredients
Alfredo sauce, you can buy a jar at the grocery store or make your own Easy Homemade Alfredo Sauce.
Basil pesto, buy at the store or make your own homemade basil pesto. This pistachio pesto is excellent also.
Pasta, I used cavatappi but feel free to use penne pasta, bow tie pasta, or bucatini pasta You can use any of your favorite pasta shapes!
🔪 Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the alfredo sauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat, until the sauce just begins to bubble.
- Stir in the pesto until well incorporated.
- Toss with hot cooked pasta noodles to coat. Season with salt and black pepper if desired.
🥄 Equipment
Large pot
Strainer
Wooden spoon
🥫Storage
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days. Pasta can be frozen up to 3 months. Remove from the freezer and thaw in the fridge completely before reheating.
When reheating, the best way to do so is in the microwave on the reheat setting or place in a saucepan with a little milk or chicken stock and heat it on the stove top.
📖 Variations
- Make it a complete and add grilled chicken tenders, shredded rotisserie chicken, or cooked shrimp to the dish.
- Stir ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes or 2 cups chopped cooked broccoli along with the pesto cream sauce into the pasta dish
💭 Tips
- Reserve some pasta water and use a little bit of it to thin out the alfredo sauce if needed.
- Choose a pasta that has nooks, crannies, and/or holes in it. This is where the sauce will like to pool and you will get more sauce on the pasta.
- Make this easy homemade alfredo sauce and homemade basil pesto ahead of time to have on hand for a super fresh and delicious meal.
📚 Related Recipes
This Pesto Pasta Salad is a cold pasta salad with great flavors!
Homemade Pistachio Pesto is great used in this creamy pasta sauce, and great
🍽 Serve with...
Serve this creamy pesto pasta with lots of parmesan cheese over top, some fresh basil leaves, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
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📖 Recipe
Creamy Pesto Pasta
Equipment
- Strainer
- Wooden spoon
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Ingredients
- 1 quart low fat alfredo sauce
- ¼ cup basil pesto
- ½ pound dried pasta , cooked until al dente
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Using the strainer, drain pasta and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the alfredo sauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat, until the sauce just begins to bubble.
- Using the hand whisk, mix in the pesto until well incorporated.
- With a wooden spoon, toss with hot cooked pasta noodles to coat. Season with salt and black pepper if desired.
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