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One Pan Creamy Pesto Penne

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This one-pan Creamy Penne Pesto Pasta is packed with flavor and ready in just 10 minutes! Perfect for an easy weeknight meal!

Overhead view of two bowls of penne pesto pasta next to a skillet.

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.

Overhead view of a skillet of penne pesto.

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: 

  • Water
  • White wine
  • Heavy cream
  • Basil pesto
  • Garlic
  • Penne pasta
  • Shredded mozzarella 
  • Fresh basil (for garnish) 

How to Make Penne Pesto Pasta

For this pesto cream pasta, I brought water, white wine, heavy cream, pesto and a bit of garlic to a boil, tossed in a box of pasta and called it a day. It really doesn’t get any easier.

I topped the creamy pesto pasta with cheese and fresh basil. If you wanted to make this a complete meal, you could add in some shredded chicken, but I wanted pure carbs in all their glory.

Overhead view of two bowls of pesto cream pasta next to a skillet.

What Basil Pesto Should I Use? 

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. I believe the 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? 

If you don’t keep wine on hand, you may substitute it with chicken or veggie broth. The pesto cream pasta won’t taste as rich as mine did, but it will be more flavorful than if you use all water. 

Overhead view of two bowls of creamy pesto pasta.

Tips for Making Creamy Pesto Pasta 

  • You can’t sub in milk or half and half for the heavy cream without risking it curdling. Heavy cream is more stable and is best suited for this recipe.
  • I used Barilla Gluten-Free Penne for this recipe and 10 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 I bet a sun-dried tomato pesto or something similar would also work. 

More Quick Pasta Dinners: 

Creamy Pesto Penne! One Pan and only 10 minutes!! (gluten free)

One Pan Creamy Penne Pesto Pasta

Yield: 6
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

This one-pan Creamy Penne Pesto Pasta is packed with flavor and ready in just 10 minutes! Perfect for an easy weeknight meal!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream*
  • 3/4 cup basil pesto
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 4 cups dry penne (one 12 ounce box)**
  • 1/2-3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
  • Additional basil for garnish

Instructions

    1. In a large skillet or pot, bring the water, wine and cream to a boil.
    2. Add the pesto, garlic and penne. Reduce heat to medium and let it simmer for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
    3. After 10 minutes, check to make sure pasta is tender.
    4. Top with cheese and basil.

Notes

  • *Unfortunately, you can't sub in milk or half and half without risking it curdling. Heavy cream is more stable, and is best suited for this recipe.
  • **I used Barilla Gluten Free Penne for this recipe and 10 minutes was perfect. Read the cooking time on the specific type of pasta you are using and adjust accordingly.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 429Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 292mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 13g

To avoid any confusion I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it is not known to affect blood glucose levels. To calculate Keto recipes listed on this site carbs - fiber = net carbs. I use Nutrifox as my nutrition calculator. This nutrition information is an estimate based on the information provided by Nutrifox and the specific ingredients I used.

© Annie Holmes
Cuisine: Comfort Food / Category: Main Dish

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Comments

  8. Stacey+@+Bake.Eat.Repeat. says

    That looks divine - and I love that it's done all in one pan! Doesn't get easier or quicker than that! Can't wait to try this one, I was actually just mentally trying to figure out how to make it tonight, but I think I'm missing too many things! Oh well, pinned for later. :)
    Reply

  11. Isadora says

    I hate dishes which means that I love one pot meals! This pasta looks so creamy, cheesy and delicious! I also love all the fresh basil on tp. I bet it tastes awesome!
    Reply

  14. Katie (The Muffin Myth) says

    This looks so great! I haven't quite nailed the one-pot pasta yet, and you're right about the liquid to pasta to other stuff ratio being the culprit. I'll have to give this version a go, that creamy pesto is calling my name! Pinned and pinned :) Thanks for the recipe.
    Reply

    • Maebells says

      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!!
      Reply

  28. Penny says

    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.
    Reply

    • Annie Holmes says

      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! :)
      Reply

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