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One-Pot Creamy Pesto Pasta for Effortless Weeknight Dinner

A white bowl filled with penne pasta coated in vibrant green creamy pesto pasta sauce and wilted spinach.
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Make this rich, velvety pesto cream sauce pasta in one pot for a comforting meal that requires minimal cleanup. This easy recipe delivers big flavor in about 30 minutes, making it your new go-to weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto (use homemade pesto recipe for best flavor)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (optional addition)
  • 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken breast (optional addition)

Instructions

  1. Place the pasta, broth, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) into a large pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cook according to the pasta package directions, stirring often to prevent sticking, until the pasta is nearly al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed (about 10-12 minutes).
  3. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, basil pesto, and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. This creates your pesto cream sauce.
  4. If using spinach, stir it in now and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. If using cooked chicken, stir it in to heat through.
  5. Taste the pasta and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Remember that pesto and Parmesan already contain salt.
  6. Serve immediately in bowls. Top each serving with extra grated Parmesan cheese for an alfredo style pesto finish.

Notes

  • For the creamiest texture, use high-quality pesto. If your pesto seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or extra cream to thin the sauce.
  • This recipe is naturally vegetarian, but adding chicken transforms it into a satisfying chicken pesto pasta.
  • If you prefer a one-pan meal with minimal cleanup, this method is ideal.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/creamy-pesto-pasta-one-pot-easy-recipe/