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This Pesto Pasta isĀ filled with penne pasta, Parmesan cheese and pesto making it an easy dinner idea that is sure to please.

We love vegetarian pasta options like White Sauce Penne Pasta, Fettuccine Alfredo or this Pesto Pasta.

Chicken Pesto Pasta topped with shredded Parmesan cheese

The perfect flavorful combo

It’s no secret that we LOVE pasta and one of our favorite sauces is pesto which is why today’s Pesto Pasta is another dinner winner!

We’ve always loved the pesto flavor. Adding it in with some Parmesan cheese is amazing and makes this recipe so flavorful and delicious.

And with hints of garlic, this dish was another keeper we will be adding to the easy dinner ideas rotation.

How to Make Pesto Pasta

We are grateful this recipe was very easy to make. Unlike many of our pasta dishes, this recipe isn’t coated in a heavy cream, which made the dish a little lighter.

PASTA. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions and drain.

PESTO. In a large skillet, saute garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in pesto, salt and pepper until warmed through.

COMBINE. Add the pasta to the pan and toss to coat. Stirr in grated cheese and mix well. Top with shaved Parmesan, serve and ENJOY!

Can I add vegetables and meat? Yes! You can add chicken or sausage. You can add roasted asparagus or broccoli. You can even add halved red and yellow cherry tomatoes for some added flavor and color. Remember that if you add more ingredients youā€™ll also want to add more pesto sauce so that everything is coated well.

Storage tips

Storing. You can store leftovers in an airtight container the fridge for 3-4 days. You can either eat the leftovers cold or warm it up in a skillet over medium heat. If your dish is looking a little dry add some extra pesto and olive oil.

Freezing. This dish is at its best served fresh. However, you can freeze it to serve later. Be sure your pasta is cooked al dente. Combine ingredients according to recipe. Place in a freezer safe airtight container and freeze for 2 months.

To serve: thaw in fridge. You can either serve cold or warm it up in a skillet over medium heat. If your dish is looking a little dry add some extra pesto and olive oil.

Pesto Chicken Pasta on a white plate

Complete the meal by also making:

4.92 from 12 votes

Pesto Pasta recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
This Pesto Pasta isĀ filled with penne pasta, Parmesan cheese and pesto making it an easy dinner idea that is sure to please.
Servings: 8
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (16-ounce) package penne pasta
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 7 tablespoons pesto
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • garlic salt, to taste
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • shaved Parmesan

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta as directed on package, cooking for about 8-10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl.
  • While pasta is cooking, add oil to a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in pesto, salt, and pepper until warmed through.
  • Add pasta to the pan and toss to coat. Stir in grated cheese and mix well.
  • Serve pasta and top with shaved parmesan.

Nutrition

Calories: 431kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 43mg, Sodium: 457mg, Potassium: 449mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 751IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 139mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Adapted from AllRecipes.com 

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iā€™m the mom of SIX stinkinā€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinā€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momā€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iā€™m one of the many crafty ā€œLilā€™ Lunasā€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




15 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is a family favorite!! My kids love pesto! I leave the sun-dried tomatoes off for theirs, but add it to mine. Very good!

  2. Krystyn, itā€™s going to be one of our favorites from now on. My husband even mentioned it again today how much he loved it. Thank you again for sharing with us.

  3. 5 stars
    Kristen, oh my. I just made the Pesto Pasta with Chicken. It is so delicious. I tweaked the recipe just a bit since I am dairy intolerant. I ate one helping and going to have a plateful for lunch tomorrow. My husband bought Basil Pesto instead of Pesto. I left out the garlic cause I forgot to ask him to pick it up. I added a little less pasta and more Pesto sauce. I added garlic salt and pepper while cooking the chicken breasts. The sun-dried tomatoes made this so delicious. Itā€™s a keeper. We love it. Thank you.

    1. That makes me so happy to hear!! Thank you for letting me know šŸ™‚ I am so glad you liked it!