0 from 12 votes
Creamy Pesto Pasta
The creamy pesto pasta recipe includes the only creamy pesto sauce recipe you will ever need in a quick and easy dinner recipe. Key ingredients such as fresh herbs, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese combine to make the perfect creamy sauce for pasta!
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 479 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh basil loosley packed
- 8 cloves garlic
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- ½ cup pine nuts
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- ¾ cup olive oil
- 1 pound pasta for serving
Instructions
- Put the fresh basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, nuts, salt, and pepper into a food processor and process until the ingredients are mixed together and smooth.
- Add the oil to the pesto mix in the food processor a little at a time until it gets to a desired consistency. Process the pesto as you add the oil.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until the pasta reaches al dente. Then mix the pesto sauce in with the pasta.
- Serve warm topped with toasted pines nuts and fresh parmesan if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- A great way to give it extra flavor is to roast the pine nuts in a large skillet until fragrant before adding them to the food processor.
- A fourth of the recipe will coat a pound of pasta, and store the remaining pesto for other uses.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week and use it on everything from chicken tenders to pizza. Or if your family is really pasta lovers, you could always toss it with some more pasta, grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes), and olives for a different tasting pasta recipe using the same base pesto recipe!
- Store the creamy pesto pasta sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to three months, allowing it to thaw completely before use.
- Add some unsalted butter to the hot strained pasta if it gets done before the pesto is ready. This will help keep it from sticking while you make the pesto.
Nutrition Information
Calories
479kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
45g
(15%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
29g
(45%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
17g
Cholesterol
4mg
(1%)
Sodium
687mg
(29%)
Potassium
237mg
(7%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
687IU
(14%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
117mg
(12%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 479
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 479kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Cholesterol | 4mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 687mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 237mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 687IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 117mg | 12% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.