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Creamy Pesto Shells
4.4 from 15 votes

Creamy Pesto Shells

The most epic pesto cream sauce ever! It's fresh, vibrant, and amazingly creamy. Served with pasta for a quick family favorite meal!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 - 6 servings
Course: Main Course

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces pasta shells medium
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 pint cherry tomato
  • salt to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
  • black pepper to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
  • ½ onion diced, medium sweet
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
For the pesto
  • 2 cups baby spinach packed fresh
  • 1 ½ cups broccoli florets
  • 1 ½ cups basil packed, fresh
  • salt to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
  • black pepper to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
  • 1 cup chicken stock

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. To make the pesto, combine spinach, broccoli and basil in the bowl of a food processor; season with salt and pepper, to taste. With the motor running, add chicken stock in a slow stream until emulsified; set aside.
  2. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add tomatoes, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to burst and have softened, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
  4. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the skillet. Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in garlic and Italian seasoning until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  5. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
  6. Gradually whisk in chicken stock. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced and slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.
  7. Stir in pesto and heavy cream until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
  8. Stir in pasta until well combined, about 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove from heat; stir in mozzarella and Parmesan until melted, about 1 minute.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with tomatoes.