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–+ servings
Linda S. Smith

Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta

A quick and easy one-pot pasta dish with creamy pesto sauce, sautéed vegetables, and a comforting texture, perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta & Sauce Base
  • 300 g penne pasta, cooked al dente Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water
  • 2 tsp salt, divided Use 1 tsp for the sauce and 1 tsp for pasta water
  • 2 cups heavy cream (35%)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour For thickening
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder Or 2 cloves fresh, minced
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp black pepper
Vegetables
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red onion, diced
Pesto & Garnish
  • 6 tbsp pesto sauce Store-bought or homemade
  • 1 handful freshly chopped parsley
  • Grated Parmesan for topping Optional

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil penne in well-salted water until al dente, drain, and reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Set pasta aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of oil, then sauté diced green pepper and red onion with 1/2 tsp of the salt until softened and slightly golden — about 5–6 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir for 30–45 seconds to cook off the raw flour taste.
Cooking
  1. Pour in the heavy cream slowly while stirring to combine. Add the reserved 1/2 cup pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
  2. Stir in garlic powder, dried oregano, black pepper, and the remaining 1 1/2 tsp salt. Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer for 2–3 minutes.
  3. Remove the skillet from heat, fold in the pesto, then add the cooked penne. Toss thoroughly so the sauce coats the pasta.
  4. If the sauce is too thick, add another tablespoon of reserved pasta water.
Serving
  1. Fold in chopped parsley and plate. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan if using. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 15gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 18gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g

Notes

For a lighter version, use half-and-half plus an extra teaspoon of flour, but expect a thinner sauce. You can also add cooked shredded chicken or sautéed shrimp for protein.

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