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.
I love pesto pasta and this one looks extremely delicious! The idea for a one pot meal is always a winner!
Yes yes to this pasta! Love one pot meals especially when they involve some yummy pesto! This looks like the perfect comfort dinner – so delicious!
This sounds awesome! I love the wine-garlic-cream-basil combo… so many good things going on! And it sounds so easy, too!
This look so good, I love pesto! I haven’t had my lunch yet and now you made me so hungry Annie! Yum!
I absolutely love one-pot and one-pan meals, and this one is SO up my alley. What a perfect combination of flavors and textures. Mmmmm, I’d love a bowl right now!
Yum! This pesto penne looks and sounds fabulous!
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.
I love one pot meals! Especially when I come home from a long day at work and realize I haven’t prepared anything in advance! 🙂 Pinning!
I loved spying this little sneak peak recipe on instagram! Your pictures turned out beautiful. Oh this recipe just sounds amazing! Why must carbs be bad for you when they taste so good?
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!
One pot meals are the best! This looks like total comfort food and absolutely delicious. I need to try this the next time we make pasta!
I LOVE one-pot meals. And pesto. And pasta. Definitely keeping this one around!
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. 🙂
OH my gosh Annie!! This Pasta! This Pasta!!!! This pasta looks absolutely AH-MAZING! I can only imagine how rich and delicious it tastes!! Your pictures are stunnninng as always! Love love love it! Pinned 🙂
Ceara you are so sweet! Thank you!! And I agree, I do think this pasta is amazing!! 🙂
Mmmm creamy pasta is just so comforting.
Yes Dannii! It doesn’t get much better!
This looks seriously delicious!!!! So good!
Thank you!! 🙂
Annie one pot pasta’s are the best. Kurt and I love pesto so I am sure this recipe will be a winner in my house. I’m going to make it tonight since I am pressed on time. Looking forward to trying it.
Yay!! I hope you enjoy it Kathy!! 🙂
One pan dishes are the best types of meal, especially during the week! I love how creamy this pasta looks, Annie! And pesto is my favorite sauce, so this is right up my alley!
Gayle you will love this!! Our dishwasher is broken so I am currently ONLY making one pan meals! ha! 😉
this looks AWESOME! pasta is kinda like my best friend hehehe 😉 seriously though I love pasta and this looks just absolutely delicious!
Thanks Michele!! It doesn’t get much easier than this!
Oh yummy! This looks like the perfect comfort food! I love pesto!! 🙂
Thank you Renee! This is a new favorite for sure!