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Creamy Pesto Pasta

Creamy Pesto Pasta in Just 10 Minutes for Busy Nights

This Creamy Pesto Pasta is quick to prepare, customizable, and delicious, perfect for busy nights.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Butter or olive oil for dairy-free
  • 2 tablespoons Flour substitute with cornstarch or gluten-free flour
  • 1 cup Milk any type of milk
  • to taste teaspoon Salt
  • ½ cup Pesto homemade or store-bought
For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Pasta any type you love
Optional Add-ins
  • 1 cup Cooked Chicken
  • 8 ounces Shrimp
  • 2 cups Spinach add just before serving
  • ½ cup Sun-dried Tomatoes

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • large pot
  • colander

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes until bubbling.
  3. Whisk in milk gradually and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Stir in pesto, mixing until evenly distributed. Adjust seasoning with salt.
  5. Drain pasta, reserving a cup of pasta water. Combine pasta with the creamy pesto sauce.
  6. Serve hot, garnished with optional add-ins like chicken or shrimp.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 12gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For the best flavor, use fresh basil in your pesto. Adjust sauce thickness with pasta water or milk as needed.

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