Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Penne
A quick and easy creamy sun-dried tomato pesto penne with parmesan and toasted pine nuts, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner with a flavorful twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 3/4 cup sun-dried tomato pesto
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (can substitute coconut cream for dairy-free)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- A handful fresh basil, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 10-12 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add pine nuts and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add olive oil and gently cook minced garlic over medium-low heat for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add sun-dried tomato pesto to the skillet with garlic. Stir to combine, then pour in heavy cream. Stir gently and warm through for 2-3 minutes until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
- Add drained penne to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat thoroughly. Add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed for silky consistency.
- Remove skillet from heat and stir in freshly grated parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Fold in toasted pine nuts and chopped fresh basil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, optionally sprinkled with additional parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning; use fresh grated parmesan for best flavor; pasta water helps sauce cling to pasta; add lemon juice to brighten sauce if desired; can substitute gluten-free pasta and dairy-free cream and cheese for dietary needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup cooked pasta w
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 15
Keywords: sun-dried tomato pesto, creamy pasta, penne recipe, easy dinner, pine nuts, parmesan, quick pasta, weeknight meal