Perfect Penne Pesto Pasta Recipe is one of those easy meals to make at home that tastes amazing. With tender penne tossed in vibrant, garlicky basil pesto, it feels indulgent yet comes together in minutes. You need to know a couple of secrets to achieve that rich, restaurant-quality flavor, and once you do, this dish will quickly become a favorite in your weeknight rotation.

Perfect Penne Pesto Pasta

If you’re looking for more delicious pasta recipes, Easy Mushroom Stroganoff and Creamy Baked Lemon Noodles will make your taste buds happy.

Have you had pesto pasta at home that didn’t taste as good as you’ve had in a restaurant? Yours had a more robust pesto and oil flavor, but the restaurant’s pesto tasted rich and creamy.

I know that happened to me. Simple ingredients changed the flavor of my creamy pesto sauce and made it restaurant-quality. I had to share this recipe with you because now you can make it perfectly, just like you were a professional chef in Italy.

Cooking is easy as long as you have the right recipe and fresh ingredients. Pesto penne pasta will make a great side dish, or you can add chopped cooked chicken breasts or grilled shrimp and make this a wonderful dinner with a side salad.

Adding sautéed vegetables to penne pesto pasta is my favorite way to make this recipe. Sauté the vegetables in another pan and mix them in with the pasta at the end.

I have a link to the homemade pesto sauce I used (which is part of this recipe), but if you’re pressed for time, feel free to use store-bought pesto.

Creating a Cozy Life Group

Since you found this recipe on how to make penne pesto pasta, I’m guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook group Creating a Cozy Life with over 213,000 like-minded souls.

It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug. You can join here to be part of the virtual cozy cottage.

I first discovered this pesto recipe in the Longaberger Fresh from the Pantry Cookbook, a cookbook that celebrates simple, wholesome cooking. The Longaberger name is best known for its handcrafted baskets, made in Ohio at the Longaberger Company’s iconic factory that resembled a giant basket itself.

The factory was an unforgettable landmark that drew visitors from all over the country. While the factory has since closed, the Longaberger legacy lives on not just through their baskets, but also through collections like this cookbook that capture the warmth, tradition, and practicality the brand was built on.

Another recipe I found in the book that you’ll enjoy is their Honey Pecan Chicken Salad.

Making Your Own Homemade Pesto Sauce

Making your own pesto sauce always tastes better. This recipe is made in a food processor with fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic cloves, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Here you will find my Easy Pesto Recipe.

I also wrote an article on What to do with Leftover Pesto.

Ingredients to Gather

• Sea salt – Enhances the pasta water, seasoning the penne from the inside out.
• Penne pasta – Its ridges and tubular shape hold onto the pesto sauce for maximum flavor in every bite.
• Pesto – Delivers the fresh, herbaceous, garlicky base that defines the dish.
• Heavy cream – Softens and mellows the pesto, creating a silky, luscious sauce.
• Parmesan cheese – Adds a salty, nutty richness that deepens the overall flavor.
• Freshly ground pepper – Brings a subtle heat that balances the creaminess and ties everything together.

Ingredients

4 quarts filtered water

1 1/2 tablespoons sea salt

16 ounces penne pasta

1 cup pesto

1/3 cup heavy cream

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Bring water to a boil in a large stockpot.
2. Add the salt and uncooked penne pasta to the boiling water and stir until the pasta is submerged.
3. Boil the penne pasta until the pasta is done (approximately 12 minutes).
4. Reserve two tablespoons of the cooking water and then drain the pasta.
5. Return pasta to the stockpot.
6. Combine pesto, cream, and reserved starchy pasta water in a bowl and mix well.
7. Pour the pasta sauce into the large pot and toss.
8. Serve pesto penne pasta on plates or bowls and add freshly ground Parmesan cheese to the top and black pepper to taste.

Tips for cooking perfect pasta

• Use one gallon of water for each pound of pasta.
• Bring the water to a boil before putting the pasta in. Cover the pot to make the water boil faster.
• Cook uncovered over medium heat, and stir often for the first couple of minutes.  Stir every few minutes after that.
• Use the recommended cooking time on the package directions.
• Check for doneness by biting into a piece of pasta. It should be tender, but slightly firm in the center.
• When the pasta is ready, drain it in a colander without rinsing (unless the recipe calls for it).

Tips for making penne pasta with pesto

• You can substitute nutritional yeast for Parmesan cheese in this simple recipe.
• To make a creamier sauce, add cream cheese to the recipe.
• Add fresh baby spinach to the sauce while cooking for an added nutritional boost.
• Sautéed vegetables in extra virgin olive oil, like chopped red peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, are great options to take this delicious pasta dish to the next level.
• Alternative pastas will also work in this recipe.
• Add garlic powder or chili flakes to this creamy penne pesto pasta for more flavor.

Storage

Store leftover penne pesto pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to keep it fresh and flavorful. When reheating, add a splash of cream or broth to bring back the creamy texture of the pesto pasta sauce and prevent it from drying out.

Recipe Toolbox

• Pasta pot with strainer insert – convenient for cooking penne.
• Nonstick sauté pan or skillet – for tossing the pasta in sauce.
• Rustic pasta bowls – for cozy, restaurant-style serving.

The great thing about this recipe is if you like more pesto flavor change the ratio to less cream. If you like a lighter pesto taste, add less pesto.

We’ve reached the end of Perfect Penne Pesto Pasta. If you make this recipe, let me know what you think in the comments below.

Be sure to join the Creating a Cozy Life Group. You’re not going to believe how amazing it is!

I created a pin for Penne Pesto Pasta below so you can add it to your dinner ideas Pinterest board.

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Thanks for stopping by! I’m so happy you found us.

More Delicious Pasta Recipes for You to Try!

• Cheesy Macaroni Salad with Tuna
• Balsamic Chicken Gorgonzola Pasta
• Easy BBQ Spaghetti Recipe
• Cheese Ravioli with Pink Sauce
• Amazing Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce

More Basil Ideas

• What to do with Basil Leaves
• Interesting Facts about Basil

Penne Pasta Recipe with Pesto and Nutrition Facts