One Pan Creamy Pesto Penne
This one-pan Creamy Penne Pesto Pasta is packed with flavor and ready in just 10 minutes! Perfect for an easy weeknight meal!
Pesto Pasta
This pasta. This pasta! One pan, 10 minutes and a couple ingredients equals a very happy girl. I generally consider comfort food to be something like Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole, a big bowl of mashed potatoes, or a nice sunday roast. But this creamy pesto pasta is basically the definition of comfort food.
Easy, creamy, and cheesy. Those three things are good for the soul! I have been playing around with one-pan dishes for a while now, so one pan rice dishes are kind of a no brainer. However, one-pan pasta recipes are a little trickier. You have to have just the right pasta to liquid ratio, and just the right amount of spices so it is flavorful enough but not overpowering.
Ingredients for the Penne Pesto Pasta
The pasta and creamy pesto sauce get cooked in the same pot, so the pasta winds up being super flavorful! Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
- Liquid ingredients: Good quality chicken stock, White wine, pesto and heavy cream.
- Penne pasta: your favorite variety, I used Barilla Gluten Free.
- Parmesan: good quality parmesan or asiago is best.
- Add Fresh basil, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste at the end.
How to Make Penne Pesto Pasta
For this pesto cream pasta, bring broth, white wine, and pesto to a boil and add the penne. Cook the pasta covered according to the package directions, usually 7-10 minutes depending on the brand.
When the pasta is al dente, stir in the heavy cream, parmesan. Add Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste.
What Basil Pesto Should I Use for creamy pesto pasta?
You can use any you’d like, and both store-bought and homemade pesto will work. If you follow a gluten-free diet like we do, I recommend buying the Mezzetta brand pesto. Delallo brand is gluten-free as well, but that one is harder for me to find.
Can I Use Another Type of Pasta?
Yes, but note that different pasta shapes call for different cook times. However, another short, sturdy pasta should be fine to cook in the creamy pesto sauce.
Can I Substitute the White Wine in this creamy pesto pasta?
If you don’t keep wine on hand, you may substitute it with chicken or veggie broth.
Tips for Making Creamy Pesto Pasta
- I used Barilla Gluten-Free Penne for this recipe and 8 minutes was perfect. Read the cooking time on the specific type of pasta you are using and adjust accordingly.
- I used a green pesto sauce to make this recipe, but a sun-dried tomato pesto or something similar would also work.
- Store bought or homemade pesto work for this recipe.
More Quick Pasta Dinners:
Get the Recipe: One Pan Creamy Penne Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 3/4 cup basil pesto
- 4 cups dry penne, one 12 ounce box*
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup parmesan
- Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and basil to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring the broth, wine and pesto to a boil.
- Add the penne and cover. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 7-8 minutes stirring occasionally.
- After 8 minutes check to see if pasta is al dente. Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream, parmesan and spices to taste.
Notes
- Read the cooking time on the specific type of pasta you are using and adjust accordingly.
What basil pesto do you use for this recipe?
So glad I found your site…I have celiac and it is so hard to find vegetarian gf meals that look good.
Cant wait to try a bunch of your recipes.
Hi Penny! I’m so glad you found our site!! I really love the Mozzetta brand pesto, they actually use olive oil in their pesto so it has a great rich flavor and it is gluten free. I believe the Delallo brand is gluten free as well, but that one is harder for me to find.
If you are vegetarian I highly recommend trying this recipe, I use Udi’s GF wraps, it is one of my favorite recipes!
If you try them let me know what you think! 🙂
Thanks so much! I will definitely try them all of them!!!
This looks like one of those pasta dishes that would quickly become a favorite around here. LOVE how creamy this pasta looks—and pesto for the WIN. 😀
Thanks Sarah!
One pan dishes are my BFF. And so is pesto. And cheese. <3 Basically this meal needs to happen ASAP!!
We are so on the same page Alyssa!! I did have to make some chicken because my husband just doesn’t eat a meal without meat but I love how easy this is!!
Looks like such a simple, delicious meal, Annie! Love that there is only one pan to wash 🙂 And I love your site redesign, looking spiffy 🙂
Thank you Denise!! 🙂 And yes, only one pan to wash is a major plus!
Love this recipe and really love that it’s a one pot meal! Another winner!
Thank you so much Annie!
Love love this penne. One pan and cheesy!
Annie, your gorgeous pictures are seriously making me hungry! I absolutely love pesto, and I think I would love it even more here when it’s made in just one pan with that yummy pasta!
I shouldn’t read blogs when I’m hungry! I want this for dinner!