• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
She's Not Cookin'
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Easy Dinner Recipes

    30 Minute Creamy Pesto Pasta

    Aug 18, 2022 · Modified: Jan 15, 2023 by Sandra Flegg

    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe

    This easy recipe for Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake is perfect for busy weeknights. Your favorite pasta shape is coated in a creamy sauce made with store-bought pesto, or you can make your own pesto. Either way, the creamy pesto sauce is going to cling to the pasta and when it's topped with fresh Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil, your whole family is going to love it!

    Creamy pesto pasta on white plate with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. this recipe!

    Who doesn't love pasta dishes that come together in 30 minutes or less?! This easy recipe is a delicious dinner the whole family will love. It's a great addition to a weekly meal plan.

    You can literally use any pasta shape and also add sliced grilled chicken or chopped rotisserie chicken to this recipe.

    Craving other easy pasta bake recipes? Be sure to check out Gigi Hadid Pasta Recipe, this Cavatappie Mac & Cheese recipe and Baked Tortellini Alfredo!

    Ingredients

    You can find these basic ingredients in your local grocery store.

    Labelled ingredients for creamy pesto pasta recipe on marble board.
    • rigatoni pasta - or use your own favorite pasta shape. Long noodles work very well in this recipe too. Whole wheat pasta is perfect as well!
    • heavy cream - helps to thicken the sauce. I used whipping cream and it was dee-li-cious!
    • fresh garlic, minced
    • red chili flakes
    • store-bought jarred pesto or make your own
    • Parmesan cheese - go for the fresh stuff which is best.
    • Salt & Black pepper
    • Mozzarella cheese
    • Fresh basil

    Step By Step Instructions

    Everything for this recipe is made on the stovetop and ready in 30 minutes or less!

    Butter and garlic in skillet.

    In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.

    Meanwhile, in a large skillet, sauté butter and garlic over medium heat for one to two minutes until garlic has softened just a little.

    Cream is added to the butter and garlic mixture in skillet with wooden spoon.

    Turn heat to low and gradually stir in heavy cream, reserved pasta water, red pepper flakes and pesto.

    Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, just until sauce starts to bubble and thicken a little. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese.

    Noodles are added to the cream sauce in skillet with wooden spoon.

    Stir in the cooked pasta and stir until pasta noodles are coated in the sauce.

    Rigatoni noodles in creamy pesto sauce topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.


    Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil and an optional sprinkle of hot pepper flakes.

    Variation

    Toss 2 cups of grapes of cherry tomatoes into the pasta after adding the Parmesan cheese.

    What is creamy pesto made of?

    Jarred pesto sauce and heavy cream with garlic and butter are the main ingredients for creamy pesto.

    How do you spruce pesto pasta?

    Add a side serving of steamed green beans, broccoli, roasted tomatoes or sliced grilled chicken.

    Storage and Reheating Instructions

    Storage: Store leftover pasta in airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.  This recipe does not freeze well and I do not recommend it. 
    Microwave to reheat: On microwave-safe plate, heat individual portions one minute at a time, stirring after each minute until heated through.

    Other Pasta Recipes You Might Enjoy

    • Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta (Copycat)
    • Gigi Hadid Pasta Recipe (with and without vodka)
    • Easy Boursin TikTok Pasta Recipe
    • Baked Ziti with Meatballs

    I would love it if you left a comment about this recipe below! Subscribe to join the community and receive regular updates straight to your inbox! Let's connect via Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest!

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Creamy pesto pasta on white plate with fresh Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Author: Sandra Flegg
    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This easy recipe for Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake is perfect for busy weeknights. Your favorite pasta shape is coated in a creamy sauce made with store-bought pesto, or you can make your own pesto. Either way, the creamy pesto sauce is going to cling to the pasta and when it's topped with fresh Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil, your whole family is going to love it!


    Ingredients

    400g (4 cups) rigatoni pasta

    1 and ¼ cups heavy cream

    3 cloves garlic, minced

    ½ teaspoon red chili flakes (or more if you like it hotter!)

    219ml/ approx 1 cup store-bought pesto

    ⅔ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

    ½ teaspoon salt

    ½ teaspoon pepper

    1 and ½ cups shredded mozzarella

    4 Tablespoons reserved pasta water

    Garnish

    Fresh basil

    ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

    additional red pepper flakes (optional)


    Instructions

    1. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain. Save about ¼ cup of the pasta water.
    2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, sauté butter and garlic for one to two minutes until garlic has softened just a little.  
    3. Over low heat gradually stir in heavy cream, reserved pasta water, red pepper flakes and pesto.  Cook for 3 to 4 minutes just until sauce starts to bubble.  Stir in grated Parmesan cheese.  
    4. Add cooked pasta to the sauce and stir until pasta is thoroughly coated in the sauce. 
    5. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.

    Notes

    Substitutions: You can use your favorite pasta shape in this recipe.  Long pasta works very well too.

    You can substitute pesto in  a jar for fresh pesto.  You can use my fresh pesto recipe.

    Storage: Store leftover pasta in airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.  This recipe does not freeze well and I do not recommend it. 
    Microwave to reheat: On microwave-safe plate, heat individual portions one minute at a time, stirring after each minute until heated through.

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 helping
    • Calories: 678
    • Sugar: 7.8 g
    • Sodium: 956.5 mg
    • Fat: 22.6 g
    • Saturated Fat: 14.1 g
    • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
    • Carbohydrates: 82.4 g
    • Fiber: 4.3 g
    • Protein: 35.4 g
    • Cholesterol: 65.1 mg

    Keywords: creamy pesto pasta

    « Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta (Copycat)
    Cherry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Tim

      January 18, 2023 at 1:41 pm

      The pesto flavour is so good and creamy with pasta another go to comfort food. Thanks for the recipe!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Sandra! Welcome to my kitchen. A self-taught cook, I love being in the kitchen. My inspiration is the people who I love the most - my family. Here you will find simple family recipes to enjoy year round.  More about me

    Easy Weeknight Dinners

    • Baked Ziti with Meatballs
    • Gigi Hadid Pasta Recipe (with and without vodka)
    • Walking Taco Casserole
    • Texas Toast Sloppy Joes
    • Easy Boursin TikTok Pasta Recipe
    • Baked Tortellini Alfredo

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Follow

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

    Contact

    • Contact

    COPYRIGHT © 2023 SHE'S NOT COOKIN'