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creamy pesto sauce pasta best easy one pot recipe 2026 03 30 175431 683x1024 1

Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta

A quick and easy one-pot pasta dish with creamy pesto sauce and vibrant vegetables, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 300 g penne pasta (cooked al dente)
  • 2 tsp salt (divided)
Vegetables
  • 1 green bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 red onion (diced)
Sauce Ingredients
  • 6 tbsp pesto sauce
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 2 cups heavy cream (35%)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 handful freshly chopped parsley for garnish
  • Grated Parmesan for topping optional

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large pot, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the diced green bell pepper and red onion. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the veggies are soft.
  2. Once the veggies are sautéed, add the pesto sauce to the pot. Stir it in well to mix with the vegetables.
  3. In a bowl, mix the heavy cream and all-purpose flour together. Slowly pour this mixture into the pot, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  4. Add the reserved pasta water, garlic powder, dried oregano, and black pepper. Stir until everything is combined and the sauce is smooth.
  5. Add the cooked penne pasta to the pot and mix well. Ensure all the pasta is coated with the creamy pesto sauce.
  6. Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan if desired, and enjoy!

Notes

Cooking the pasta al dente is key; it will continue to cook when combined with the sauce. If you like a thicker sauce, add a bit more flour when mixing with cream. Feel free to add other vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.