Creamy Pesto Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 lb pasta (such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
• 1 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• salt (for pasta water and to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. 2

   Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions until al dente.

3. 3

   Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.

4. 4

   Drain the pasta and return it to the pot over low heat.

5. 5

   Stir in the basil pesto and heavy cream until the pasta is evenly coated.

6. 6

   Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is silky. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

7. 7

   Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra protein, you can add grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp. If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• vegetarian
• quick
• dinner
• creamy