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Creamy Pesto Pasta
Creamy pesto pasta is an easy weeknight recipe. Pasta is coated in a rich, luscious cream sauce made with basil pesto and done in 15 minutes.
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 704 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
International
Ingredients
- 400 g penne pasta see my notes
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 cup thickened cream heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- 4 tablespoon basil pesto
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon cooking salt
- fresh basil leaves optional garnish
- grated Parmesan cheese optional garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- Meanwhile, in a large pan heat the olive oil over medium heat and fry the garlic for 30 seconds (don't let it brown).
- Stir in thickened cream and milk.
- Add pesto, lemon juice and salt, stirring to combine and allowing the pesto to melt into the cream mixture.
- Bring to a simmer.
- When it has thickened slightly, add in drained pasta and toss to coat it in the pesto cream sauce.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *Please note that the amount of calories per serve is provided as a guide only, as ingredients and cooking methods can vary greatly*
- Use a different pasta if you prefer, or make this dish even faster by substituting a quick-cooking pasta like angel hair or fresh pasta from the refrigerated section of the supermarket.
- Reserve some of the pasta water when you drain the pasta - this is great to use if you need to thin out the sauce at the end.
- Don't forget the cream sauce will thicken as it cools.
Nutrition Information
Calories
704kcal
(35%)
Carbohydrates
80g
(27%)
Protein
17g
(34%)
Fat
35g
(54%)
Saturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Cholesterol
77mg
(26%)
Sodium
225mg
(9%)
Potassium
342mg
(10%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
1386IU
(28%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
138mg
(14%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 704
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 704kcal | 35% |
| Carbohydrates | 80g | 27% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 35g | 54% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 77mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 225mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 342mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1386IU | 28% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 138mg | 14% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.