Best 9 Penne Pesto Pasta Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey with our comprehensive guide to creating the perfect penne pesto pasta. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, this article will equip you with the knowledge and expertise to prepare this delectable dish that tantalizes taste buds and leaves you craving for more. Discover the secrets to crafting a smooth, aromatic pesto sauce that perfectly coats each twirl of penne pasta, enhancing its texture and flavor.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

PENNE WITH GARLIC PESTO



Penne With Garlic Pesto image

This pesto recipe is made with vegetable stock instead of olive oil.

Provided by Laura Jull

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

⅔ cup vegetable stock
2 cloves garlic
1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons pine nuts
12 ounces penne pasta
2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, combine stock and garlic cloves. Simmer for about 5 minutes, or until garlic is soft. Alternatively, microwave on High for 5 minutes in a microwave safe bowl.
  • Add basil to the bowl of a food processor; chop fine. Blend in stock mixture. Add Parmesan cheese and pine nuts; chop fine. Pesto can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 24 hours.
  • Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water until al dente. Drain well, and return to pot. Stir in pesto to coat pasta. Toss with tomatoes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 377 calories, Carbohydrate 66.6 g, Cholesterol 5.9 mg, Fat 6.4 g, Fiber 4.4 g, Protein 16.1 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 157.2 mg, Sugar 5.5 g

PESTO PENNE PASTA



Pesto Penne Pasta image

Quick and easy pesto penne pasta is a simple and light Italian pasta dish made with just five ingredients in under 15 minutes. The easiest dinner.

Provided by Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme

Categories     Pasta

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 6

8 oz. penne pasta (3 cups)
1/2 cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add penne pasta and a little bit salt, and cook till al dente (fully cooked but still firm) about 8-10 minutes, or according to package directions. Do not overcook the pasta. Turn off the heat and reserve at least 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander and let it cool for 1 minute.
  • Transfer pasta into a large mixing bowl and add pesto and reserved pasta water (1/4 cup or more, if desired). Season with salt and pepper and toss well to coat. Stir in cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
  • Serve immediately. Sprinkle extra parmesan on top, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Calories 387 calories, Sugar 2.9 g, Sodium 504.5 mg, Fat 17.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, TransFat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 45.6 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 11.6 g, Cholesterol 3.6 mg

PENNE WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO



Penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

12 ounces penne pasta
1 (8.5-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
2 garlic cloves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
  • Meanwhile, blend the sun-dried tomatoes and their oil, garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, and basil in a food processor and blend until the tomatoes are finely chopped. Transfer the tomato mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the Parmesan.
  • Add the pasta to the pesto and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper and serve.

BEEF AND BLUE CHEESE PENNE WITH PESTO



Beef and Blue Cheese Penne with Pesto image

Unique and simple to prepare, this delicious pasta dish is filled with fresh flavors, and it's as healthy as it is hearty. Best of all, it takes just 30 minutes to set this meal on the table. -Frances Pietsch, Flower Mound, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups uncooked whole wheat penne pasta
2 beef tenderloin steaks (6 ounces each)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
5 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 6 cups), coarsely chopped
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup prepared pesto
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions., Meanwhile, sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper. Grill steaks, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 5-7 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°)., Drain pasta; transfer to a large bowl. Add spinach, tomatoes, pesto and walnuts; toss to coat. Cut steak into thin slices. Serve pasta mixture with beef; sprinkle with cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 532 calories, Fat 22g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 50mg cholesterol, Sodium 434mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 35g protein.

PENNE PASTA WITH CHICKEN, MUSHROOMS AND PESTO SAUCE



Penne Pasta With Chicken, Mushrooms and Pesto Sauce image

Make and share this Penne Pasta With Chicken, Mushrooms and Pesto Sauce recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Lyubomira S.

Categories     Chicken

Time 30m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 ounces penne rigate (can use pasta of your choice)
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 1/2 lb)
5 -6 sliced white mushrooms
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons blue cheese (can use Gorgonzola cheese)
3 tablespoons pesto sauce
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese
fresh basil leaves, for garnishing

Steps:

  • Boil pasta in salted water according to directions on the package.
  • In a large skillet heat olive oil on medium heat.
  • Cut chicken into small pieces, season with salt and pepper and cook in olive oil over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until the outside appears cooked.
  • Add mushrooms and cook for another 4-5 minutes, so they release water.
  • Add pesto sauce and stir until evenly distributed. Continue cooking for another 2 minutes on medium.
  • Add heavy cream, stir and then add blue cheese. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently. The sauce should thicken and get creamy.
  • Add cooked and drained pasta to the sauce and stir to evenly distribute the sauce.
  • Serve with shredded parmesan cheese on top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 732.6, Fat 43.5, SaturatedFat 18.9, Cholesterol 167.8, Sodium 941, Carbohydrate 46.3, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 2.6, Protein 38.9

PENNE WITH CHICKEN AND PESTO



Penne with Chicken and Pesto image

I sometimes substitute chicken broth for half the heavy cream called for in the recipe to reduce calories. I also use additional Parmesan.

Provided by MARYSTEVE

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into thin strips
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 ¼ cups heavy cream
¼ cup pesto
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute chicken and garlic until chicken is almost cooked. Reduce heat and stir in salt, pepper, cream, pesto and Parmesan cheese. Cook until chicken is no longer pink inside. Stir in cooked pasta.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 497.1 calories, Carbohydrate 42.6 g, Cholesterol 96.9 mg, Fat 26.1 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 12.6 g, Sodium 164.2 mg, Sugar 1.9 g

PENNE WITH PEA PESTO



Penne with Pea Pesto image

Categories     Food Processor     Garlic     Pasta     Side     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     Parmesan     Pine Nut     Pea     Gourmet     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas
2 large garlic cloves
1/2 cup pine nuts (2 ounce)
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano plus additional for serving
1/3 cup olive oil
1 pound penne

Steps:

  • Cook peas on the stove or in a microwave according to package directions, then drain well.
  • With food processor running, drop in garlic and finely chop. Turn off motor and add peas, nuts, cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, then process until finely chopped. With motor running, add oil, blending until incorporated.
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander.
  • Toss pasta with pea pesto and thin as desired with reserved cooking water. Season with freshly ground pepper.

LOW CARB PENNE PASTA IN PESTO-CREAM SAUCE



Low Carb Penne Pasta in Pesto-Cream Sauce image

This recipe uses the recently introduced low-carb pasta for a flavor-packed, yet healthy side dish that satisfies your pasta craving without breaking your low-carb diet! Note: The 'Zaar nutrition chart doesn't recognize "low-carb" pasta, so be sure to add the number of carb grams shown on your pasta box. For example, my brand contains 5 G. net carbs, so my corrected total is 7.5 G. net carbs in each serving.

Provided by CookinDiva

Categories     Penne

Time 15m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

16 ounces low-carb pasta
1/4 cup basil pesto (found in refrigerator section by fresh herbs)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
8 ounces heavy cream
2 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain. HINT - save 1/4 cup pasta water to add to pasta later if it needs more liquid.
  • Stir all other ingredients into hot pasta, saving a little of the Parmesan to sprinkle on top. If the dish seems too dry, you can add a little of the reserved pasta water (the starch in that water helps to bind the sauce).
  • A nice variation is to toss in about 20 grape tomatoes (split in half first) as you toss all the ingredients. They add wonderful color and flavor.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 165.2, Fat 16.3, SaturatedFat 8.4, Cholesterol 46.3, Sodium 107.7, Carbohydrate 2.5, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 0.1, Protein 3.3

ONE-PAN GARLIC CHICKEN PESTO PASTA RECIPE BY TASTY



One-Pan Garlic Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: canola oil, chicken breasts, garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, pesto, penne pasta, cherry tomato, parmesan cheese, fresh basil

Provided by Tasty

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon canola oil
2 chicken breasts, sliced into 1/2 inch (2cm) strips
2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
½ tablespoon kosher salt
½ tablespoon black pepper, freshly ground
¾ cup heavy cream
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
¼ cup pesto
3 cups penne pasta, cooked and drained
¾ cup cherry tomato, halved
parmesan cheese, to garnish
fresh basil, chopped, to garnish

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a pan over high heat. Combine the chicken, garlic, salt, and pepper, cooking until chicken is browned.
  • Then, mix in the heavy cream, parmesan, and pesto, stirring until evenly combined.
  • Next, bring to a boil and cook until the sauce has reduced, about five to seven minutes.
  • Toss in the pasta and cherry tomatoes, stirring until evenly coated. Remove from heat.
  • To serve, sprinkle parmesan cheese and basil on top!
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 892 calories, Carbohydrate 99 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 47 grams, Sugar 6 grams

Tips:

  • Use fresh basil: Fresh basil is essential for a flavorful pesto sauce. If you don't have fresh basil, you can use dried basil, but the flavor will be less intense.
  • Adjust the amount of garlic and Parmesan cheese to your taste: Some people like more garlic or Parmesan cheese in their pesto sauce than others. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your liking.
  • Use a food processor or blender to make the pesto sauce: A food processor or blender will help you make a smooth and creamy pesto sauce. If you don't have a food processor or blender, you can chop the basil, garlic, and pine nuts by hand, but the sauce will not be as smooth.
  • Store the pesto sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days: You can also freeze the pesto sauce for up to 3 months.
  • Serve the pesto pasta with a side of grilled chicken, shrimp, or vegetables: This will make a complete meal.

Conclusion:

Penne pesto pasta is a quick and easy dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover pesto sauce. With its vibrant green color and delicious flavor, penne pesto pasta is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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