Creamy Pesto Pasta Recipe
Learn to make fresh basil pesto with pasta recipe. First I make the pesto cream sauce from scratch which is always the most delicious then toss it with whole wheat penne pasta. Feel free to use your favorite pasta or use the sauce to go with chicken or vegetable dishes.
Full printable recipe below. Let us know if you make it by tagging @MintPersonalChef in your food pics. Happy Eating!
-Chef Julie & The Mint Team
Creamy Basil Pesto Pasta
How to make creamy basil pesto pasta. Make it vegan or gluten-free if you'd like
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 232kcal
Special Equipment
- 1 medium – large pot
- 1 colander or strainer
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Basil pesto (below) or you could use premade, although fresh is best!
- 1 pack (1 pound) Dried or fresh pasta of choice
- ½-3/4 Cup Heavy cream or sub a non-dairy alternative of choice or omit
- 1-2 Tbsp Butter or olive oil
- To Taste Salt & Pepper
- As needed Fresh basil leaves to garnish
- As needed Shredded parmesan to garnish
Instructions
- Blend all the ingredients for the basil pesto recipe below. Leave the pesto in the food processor /blender.
- Add the cream and blend together. Taste and add more cream if desired.
- Boil the pasta until “al dente” or your preferred doneness
- Drain the pasta, place back in the pot with the butter or oil and toss.
- Mix in the creamy basil pesto sauce
- Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
- Enjoy hot right away and garnish with fresh basil!
Notes
Recommendations:
-Add some red chili pepper flakes to make it spicy
-Make this gluten-free by substituting a Gluten-free pasta of choice
-For meal prep: Keep the sauce and pasta separate. After you drain the pasta immediately toss in cold water to stop the cooking and cool down. Toss pasta in the sauce right before eating.
Basil Pesto Recipe
Using pesto in a dish is a great way to add a punch of flavor while still keeping it fresh and healthy. You can make a batch and use it to cook with all week long in your pasta, eggs, vegetable dishes or even slather it on a piece of toast. Get creative with it, there are no rules!
Servings: 4
Calories: 230kcal
Special Equipment
- Food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 1 handful Basil Leaves
- 2-3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic Chopped
- 1-2 tbsp Parmesan
- 2-3 tbsp Pine nuts or any other nuts
- 1-2 tsp Lemon juice
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Wipe down sides and blend again. Adjust seasonings and ingredients to taste.
Notes
Add a tablespoon or so to your food while cooking to enhance the flavor.