Creamy Pesto Pasta
Twirl into creamy bliss with this cozy pesto pasta—a dreamy combo of olive oil, onion, pesto, and parmesan cheese. It’s the weeknight dinner you’ll make on repeat: ridiculously simple, endlessly customizable, and full of herby, cheesy flavor.
4
servings
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta any shape (rotini, fusilli, spaghetti, etc.)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 2-4 tbsp (30-60 ml) pesto store-bought or homemade, plus more to taste
- salt and black pepper to taste
To Finish
- 1/2 cup (50 g) parmesan cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1 cup (240 ml) reserved pasta water as needed for loosening sauce
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- wooden spoon
- Colander
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until just al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in 2 to 4 tablespoons pesto, and season with salt and pepper. Cook another 30 seconds until fragrant and hot.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss well to coat, then add a generous splash of reserved pasta water and toss again, adding more water as needed until the sauce is creamy and clings to the noodles.
- Stir in the grated parmesan (off the heat for extra creaminess) and toss until melted. Taste and adjust pesto, salt, and pepper as desired.
- Serve warm, topped with extra parmesan. Enjoy!
Notes
This recipe is endlessly customizable. Toss in cooked chicken, shrimp, or sautéed veggies like spinach or cherry tomatoes for variety. For an extra-luscious sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half along with the parmesan.
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Add a spoonful of water or milk when reheating to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 530mg | Potassium: 230mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 148mg | Iron: 2mg