How to Make the Perfect Pesto Pasta
Italian · Easy · 15 min · 4 servings
Pesto pasta is a vibrant and flavorful kid friendly recipe that introduces children to the delicious taste of fresh basil in a fun and approachable way. Parents love how quickly this dish comes together and how easily the bright green color gets picky eaters excited to try something new at the dinner table.
Why this recipe works
This Pesto Pasta recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 420 calories with 12g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 0.5 cup basil pesto
- 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Boil the Penne
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a full boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually about 10 to 11 minutes. Before draining, make sure to reserve half a cup of the hot starchy pasta water for the sauce.
Step 2: Drain and Return
Drain the cooked penne in a colander and return it immediately to the warm pot off the heat. Drizzle the olive oil over the pasta and toss lightly to prevent the noodles from sticking together while you prepare the pesto coating.
Step 3: Toss with Pesto
Add the basil pesto to the pasta along with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together vigorously until the pesto evenly coats every piece of pasta and forms a glossy, fragrant sauce. Add more pasta water if needed to reach the right consistency.
Step 4: Add Toppings and Serve
Fold in the halved cherry tomatoes gently so they stay intact. Transfer the pesto pasta to serving bowls and top generously with grated parmesan cheese. Serve right away while the pasta is warm and the pesto aroma is at its most inviting.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- basil pesto → spinach pesto or sun dried tomato pesto works well and can be even more kid friendly
- penne pasta → bow tie pasta or fusilli are fun shapes that kids tend to love even more
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding pesto to pasta that is still on the stove over heat which turns the bright green color dull and brownish
- Using too much pesto without adding pasta water which makes the dish feel heavy and overly oily
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 420 calories, 12g protein, 54g carbs, 18g fat, 3g fiber.
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