This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This one-pan pesto pasta tosses penne in a light pesto sauce bursting with Parmesan cheese for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.
The perfect flavorful combo
We love pasta! It’s flavorful, filling, and an easy main dish to whip up on busy weeknights. Juicy pesto sauce coats penne pasta, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
This penne pasta recipe is a light, vegetarian twist on a classic and offers a vibrant main dish alternative. We love vegetarian pasta recipes like White Sauce Penne Pasta, Fettuccine Alfredo, or this pesto pasta.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Simple & speedy. This easy dinner idea comes together in minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or hot summer days when you don’t want to spend hours over a hot stove.
- Full of flavor. The fresh herbs in pesto, like basil or arugula, create a lively and aromatic base that lightly coats the penne.
- Ingredient improvisation. This easy pasta recipe welcomes creativity. Easily add other ingredients like cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 5 minutes
- 1 (16-ounce) package penne pasta – or rigatoni, fusilli, farfalle
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 7 tablespoons pesto – store-bought or homemade Basil Pesto Recipe
- 2 garlic cloves, minced – How to Mince Garlic
- garlic salt, to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- shaved Parmesan
How to Make Pesto Pasta
- PASTA. Cook 1 pound penne pasta as directed on package, cooking for about 8-10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl.
- SAUCE. While pasta is cooking, add 3 tablespoons olive oil to a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in 7 tablespoons pesto, garlic salt, salt, and black pepper to taste. Cook until warmed through.
- SERVE. Add pasta to the pan and toss to lightly coat. Stir in 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese and mix well.
- Serve pasta and top with shaved parmesan.
Complete the Meal
- Sides: Cheesy Garlic Bread, Caprese Salad, Fried Zucchini, Olive Garden Breadsticks
- Desserts: Panna Cotta, Italian Cookies, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Lava Cake
- More pasta dinners: Spaghetti, Pasta Carbonara, White Sauce Penne Pasta, Italian Sausage Pasta
More collections: Easy Pasta Recipes, Penne Pasta Recipes, Vegetarian Pasta Recipes, Easy Dinner Ideas
Pesto Pasta
This one-pan pesto pasta tosses penne in a creamy pesto sauce bursting with Parmesan cheese for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.
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.
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!
Recipe FAQ
Additions?
- Vegetables. Add chopped vegetables like broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and texture. Sauté them in a pan along with the garlic before adding the pesto.
- Nuts. Add a delightful crunch with toasted pine nuts, chopped walnuts, or a sprinkle of sunflower seeds.
- Protein. For a more filling meal, add cooked chicken breast pieces, grilled shrimp, or crumbled tofu.
- Spice. For a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the warmed pesto.
- Fresh herbs. For an extra burst of flavor, garnish with fresh basil leaves, chopped parsley, or a sprinkle of dried oregano.
Can I Make Creamy Pesto Pasta?
- For a richer sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese to the warmed pesto.
How to Store Pesto Pasta?
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. 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.
How to Freeze?
- This dish is at its best served fresh but can be frozen to serve later. Cook pasta al dente. Combine ingredients according to recipe. Place in a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for 2 months.
- Reheat. If needed, thaw in the fridge. Serve it cold or warm it up in a skillet over medium heat. If the dish looks a little dry add some extra homemade pesto and olive oil.
Pasta, pasta, pasta! Never enough of this stuff and truly a family favorite.
This recipe is a family favorite I love the sun-dried tomatoes with the pesto.
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!
This is one of the best Pesto Pasta dishes I’ve had!
My fam loved this pesto pasta recipe! Will surely make it again! Thanks a lot!
You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
I love dishes with pesto!! It adds delicious flavor! My whole family likes when I make this!
My kids loves your recipe for pesto pasta. So easy to make, but yummy❤❤❤
I love to hear that! I am so glad they like it 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Krystyn, it’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.
Awe, I love to hear that! I am so glad you all liked it! Thank you so much!
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. It’s a keeper. We love it. Thank you.
That makes me so happy to hear!! Thank you for letting me know 🙂 I am so glad you liked it!
Nice recipe pasta with pesto sauce. Would definitely try it.
Thank you!! I’d love to know what you think, if you do!! I hope you like it!