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.

Ingredients

400g (4 cups) rigatoni pasta

1 and 1/4 cups heavy cream

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (or more if you like it hotter!)

219ml/ approx 1 cup store-bought pesto

2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 and 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

4 Tablespoons reserved pasta water

Garnish

Fresh basil

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

additional red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain. Save about 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, sauté butter and garlic for one to two minutes until garlic has softened just a little.
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.
Add cooked pasta to the sauce and stir until pasta is thoroughly coated in the sauce.
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