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Close-up of penne pasta coated in creamy pesto sauce and topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Stunning 15-Min Creamy Pesto Pasta with Bright Basil

This recipe delivers a quick, flavorful pasta dish using basil pesto, cream, and fresh lemon for brightness. It is ready in about 15 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.75 cup single or light cream
  • 25 grams parmesan finely grated
  • 0.33 cup basil pesto
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • to taste salt
  • 200 grams pasta of your choice

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl Large
  • Pan or pressure cooker

Method
 

  1. Boil salted water in a large pot.
  2. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
  3. Heat olive oil in a pan or pressure cooker over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Lower heat, add cream, and stir gently for 2–3 minutes.
  5. Add parmesan in two parts, melting fully between each addition.
  6. Stir in pesto, black pepper, and lemon juice. Combine until smooth and let simmer 1–2 minutes.
  7. Add cooked pasta, reserved water if needed, and salt to season. Mix gently and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcal

Notes

Use pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Reserve before draining pasta. Homemade or quality store-bought pesto works well. Best served fresh, but can be stored in fridge for 3–4 days.

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