Imagine a dinner that's creamy, bursting with flavor, and ready in just 20 minutes - without creating a mountain of dishes! This One Pan Creamy Pesto Penne is about to become your kitchen's secret weapon. With its luxurious blend of rich pesto, velvety cream, and juicy cherry tomatoes, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that will have your family begging for seconds. Whether you're a busy professional, a tired parent, or just someone who loves delicious food without complicated cooking, this recipe is your perfect culinary solution!
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 8 oz of penne pasta, 1 cup of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of pesto, 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Once boiling, add a generous amount of salt and then the penne pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare your other ingredients. Halve the cherry tomatoes and set them aside. Measure out the heavy cream, pesto, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot over low heat.
- Add the heavy cream to the pot with the drained pasta and stir to combine. Allow the cream to warm up for about 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Next, add the pesto to the pot and mix well until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy pesto sauce.
- Incorporate the halved cherry tomatoes into the pasta mixture, stirring gently to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes are slightly softened.
- If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta cooking water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, mixing until it melts into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as necessary.
- Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the pot from heat. Serve the creamy pesto penne immediately, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality pesto for the most vibrant flavor - homemade or from a good deli section works best.
- Don't drain all pasta water! Reserving some starchy water helps create a silkier, more cohesive sauce.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness when mixing with sauce.
- For extra richness, use full-fat heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan.
- Want more protein? Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy pancetta to make it a complete meal.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream.
- Ensure your pan is on low heat when adding cream to prevent scorching.
- Taste and adjust seasoning at the end - a little extra salt or pepper can elevate the entire dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 580kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 18g
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 19g
Cholesterol: 95mg
