Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta (Best Easy One Pot Recipe) Recipe
This Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta is a delicious and easy one-pot recipe featuring al dente penne pasta smothered in a rich, creamy pesto sauce made with sautéed bell pepper, red onion, heavy cream, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, it combines fresh vegetables and flavorful seasonings with the creamy texture of a homemade sauce, topped optionally with Parmesan and parsley for an irresistible finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 300 g penne pasta (cooked al dente)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 red onion (diced)
- 2 tsp salt (divided)
Sauce Ingredients
- 6 tbsp pesto sauce
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 2 cups heavy cream (35%)
- 1 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Freshly chopped parsley (a handful)
- Grated Parmesan for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat a large pan over medium heat, then add the diced green bell pepper and red onion along with 1 tsp of salt. Sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and lightly caramelized to develop deeper flavors.
- Prepare the Pesto Sauce: Add the pesto sauce and reserved pasta water to the sautéed vegetables. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and some of the water evaporates.
- Create the Creamy Base: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and a little warm water to form a smooth slurry. Remove the pan from heat and gradually stir in the slurry to avoid lumps. Then return the pan to medium heat and pour in the heavy cream. Simmer for 5–10 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Season the Sauce: Add the garlic powder, dried oregano, freshly chopped parsley, and black pepper to the sauce. Stir thoroughly and taste, adjusting seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked penne pasta into the sauce. Allow everything to simmer together for about 5 minutes so the pasta absorbs the flavors of the sauce fully.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pesto pasta and optionally top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with extra parsley for freshness and visual appeal.
- Enjoy: Serve warm and enjoy this comforting, flavorful pasta dish!
Notes
- For best results, cook the pasta al dente before adding it to the sauce.
- Use reserved pasta water to help adjust the sauce consistency and add starch for better sauce adherence.
- You can replace heavy cream with a lighter cream or a milk-cream combination for a lighter dish, though it may be less rich.
- Adjust the amount of pesto sauce based on your preferred intensity of flavor.
- Grated Parmesan topping is optional but adds a nice salty, nutty flavor to the finished dish.
- Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a refreshing herbal note.
Keywords: Creamy pesto pasta, one pot pasta, easy pasta recipe, pesto sauce, penne pasta, creamy pasta sauce, Italian pasta dish
