Pesto Penne Pasta Recipes

CREAMY PESTO PENNE WITH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook penne at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain and transfer pasta to a bowl.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir sausage in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; add to pasta.
• Whisk pesto sauce mix, milk, and olive oil together in a small saucepan; bring to a boil while stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and keep at a simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes; pour over pasta and sausage mixture and toss to coat.

PENNE WITH GARLIC PESTO

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.

PESTO PENNE PASTA

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.

PENNE WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Meanwhile, pluck the basil leaves from the stems (you should have about 2 cups leaves). Wash the leaves in a large bowl of cold water and dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels. Smash and peel the garlic.
• Put the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the processor running, gradually add the olive oil and process until the pesto is smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large bowl and stir in the cheese. Season with the salt and some pepper.
• Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat and salt it generously. Add the penne and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and save about 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Add the pasta to the bowl. Use tongs and toss with enough of the cooking water so the pesto coats the pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
• Upgrades: a. Make the pesto creamy by adding 1/4 cup ricotta cheese when processing the basil, garlic, and pine nuts. This is great with tortellini or ravioli. b. Top dressed pesto pasta with 1/2 pound diced large or halved small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), 3 medium tomatoes cut in large chunks, and 1/2 cup pitted black olives, (we like kalamata for this), roughly chopped. c. Add cooked 1 to 2 cups chicken or shrimp.
• Twists on Pesto: In place of basil, try the following combination: 1 cup parsley, 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves. Substitute walnuts for the pine nuts

CHICKEN PESTO PENNE

Steps:

• Season and saute the chicken breast. Remove from the pan and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, cook the penne in salted boiling water.
• In the same pan as the chicken breast, saute mushrooms and onion. When almost done, add garlic and saute until fragrant.
• Add cream and pesto and bring to a boil. Put the chicken back in the pan and add the sun-dried tomatoes Simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken.
• Add most of the parmesan (reserving a little for the top).
• Drain the penne saving some of the water.
• Add the penne to the sauce and stir. Add reserved water if needed to thin the sauce.
• Serve penne topped with the saved parmesan and basil if using.
• Serve.

ONE-PAN GARLIC CHICKEN PESTO PASTA RECIPE BY TASTY

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!

PERFECT PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a food processor and let cool, 5-7 minutes.
• Add garlic and grated Parmesan to food processor and pulse until finely ground, about 1 minute. Add basil and, with the motor running, add oil in a slow and steady stream; continue to process until pesto is mostly smooth with just a few flecks of green remaining, about 1 minute. Pulse in 1 tsp. salt.
• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid.
• Place pesto and butter in a large bowl. Add pasta and 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid. Toss vigorously with tongs, adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until pasta is glossy and well coated with sauce. Taste pasta and season with more salt if needed.
• Divide pasta among bowls. Top with shaved Parmesan.
• Do Ahead: Pesto can be made 1 day ahead. Pour oil over to cover by 1/4" to prevent browning. Press plastic wrap directly against surface and chill.