How to Make the Perfect Pesto and Parmesan Penne Pasta at Home
Pesto penne pasta can be made in less than 15 minutes with only five ingredients. Pesto, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan add flavor to freshly cooked pasta. Serve it fresh as an easy weeknight meal.
The Pesto and Parmesan Penne Pasta Recipe any leftovers can be served cold the next day for lunch or as a salad.
The Pesto and Parmesan Penne Pasta Recipe combine a homemade pesto sauce with sun-dried tomatoes. It is easy to make the creamy pesto sauce, and it does not involve any cooking.
We have used fresh ingredients in the pesto sauce, such as basil leaves, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, and salt.
Use any pasta type to create a tasty weekend meal. When ready to serve, drizzle on olive oil and chili flakes. This will enhance the taste and its very essential for health.
Serve the Pesto and Parmesan Penne Pasta Recipe. Serve with Cream of Mushroom and Spring Onion Soup, Bread Sticks and some olive oil.
List of the Ingredients
- Pesto Ingredients: Fresh basil, Olive Oil, Garlic, Parmesan Cheese, Cashews, or Pine Nuts. Store-bought pesto of good quality is also acceptable.
- Penne
- Potatoes
- Salt & pepper
- Cherry tomatoes
How To Make Pesto And Parmesan Penne Pasta
- How to Cook Pasta
- In a large pasta pot, cook Penne until it is al dente. Drain excess water. It will only take 10 to 12 minutes.
- To stop cooking, run the pasta in cold water. After draining the pasta water, add a few drops of olive oil to the pasta. Set aside. The olive oil is added to prevent the pasta from sticking together after cooking.
- How to Make Pesto Sauce
- Put the garlic (Pine Nuts), walnuts, and basil leaves in the processor. Add the salt and pepper and process until the mixture is coarse. While the processor is running, pour olive oil slowly into the bowl via the feed tube. Process until the pesto has been thoroughly pureed.
- Pour for a minute, add the Parmesan cheese and puree, and then set it aside.
- How to Make Pasta
- In a heavy 12-inch skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high. Stirring constantly, add the garlic and cook until golden. Add the pesto, the pasta and the sundried tomato and continue stirring until all ingredients are combined.
- Add the red chili flakes and cheese and mix well. If you feel the pasta is too dry, add 1/4 cup of cream of milk.
- The Pesto and Parmesan Pasta recipe is best served with Mushroom and Spring Onion Soup. When ready to serve, drizzle on olive oil and chili flakes.
Tips For Penne Pasta Recipes with Pesto
- This simple recipe can be made with nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- Add cream cheese to a recipe for a creamy sauce.
- To add nutritional value, cook fresh baby spinach in the sauce.
- This delicious pasta dish can be elevated by adding sauteed vegetables like zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or chopped red peppers in extra virgin oil.
- This recipe can be made with other pasta.
- Add chili flakes or garlic powder to the creamy pesto pasta for more flavor.
