5 Ingredient Pesto Pasta Recipe Easy Creamy Weeknight Dinner Idea
A quick and easy creamy pesto pasta made with just five ingredients, perfect for busy weeknight dinners. This recipe balances simplicity and flavor with a rich, creamy sauce that clings to every strand of pasta.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces penne or fusilli pasta (or spaghetti)
- 3/4 cup store-bought pesto (preferably with real basil and olive oil)
- 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta for 10–12 minutes until just shy of al dente.
- While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Lower heat to medium-low and add cream cheese in chunks. Stir frequently until melted and smooth, about 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in pesto and add 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Mix well.
- Drain pasta, reserving a little pasta water. Toss pasta into the skillet with the sauce and stir to coat evenly. Add more pasta water if needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Finish by sprinkling freshly grated Parmesan over the pasta and stir gently to melt. Serve immediately.
Notes
Reserve pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta. Use full-fat cream cheese for a smooth sauce. Avoid overcooking pasta; it finishes cooking in the sauce. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best texture and flavor. Melt cream cheese slowly over low heat to prevent clumping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 15
Keywords: pesto pasta, easy dinner, creamy pasta, 5 ingredient recipe, weeknight dinner, quick pasta, family meal