Silky Pesto Pasta (One Pot Recipe)

a bowl of silky pesto pasta with a fork sticking out

Bursting with herbaceous flavor, our One Pot Silky Pesto Pasta may become your go-to for weeknight comfort food. Whip it up in just one pot for a speedy and nutritious meal that’s ready in nearly no time!

a bowl of creamy pesto pasta with a fork sticking out

Why You’ll Love Silky Pesto Pasta

If you know us, you know we’re huge fans of one-pot pasta recipes. They’re speedy, simple, and always tasty. We have tons of variations you can find in our one-pot recipe collection, but our latest obsession is this silky pesto pasta recipe! It’s:

Simple to make and ready in less than 30 minutes.
Full of refreshing, herbaceous flavor.
Absolutely loaded with vegetables.
Great for meal prep, customizable,and budget-friendly.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Thanks to the abundance of vegetables, this silky pesto pasta recipe leaves you feeling full and satisfied without weighing you down. Here’s what you’ll need:

Pasta – We use rotini for this recipe. Make sure it’s uncooked!
Olive Oil – This is used to sauté the veggies, adding healthy fats and enhancing their flavor.
Vegetables – Onion, asparagus, zucchini, frozen green peas, and garlic combine to create the finest nutrient-rich comfort food.
Broth – We recommend low-sodium varieties. Both chicken and vegetable broth work well!
Herbs and Spices – There’s no shortage of flavor here! You’ll need crushed red pepper, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper for a bold savory taste.
Pesto – You can use a store-bought option, but we like to create our own!
Heavy Cream – This is the key to creating the rich flavor and silky texture we love about this dish.
Parmesan Cheese – Everything tastes better with cheese!
Garnish – Add fresh oregano or basil on top for extra flavor and a pop of color.

Optional Add-Ins

We kept this silky pesto pasta vegetarian to fit a variety of needs. However, you can also mix in your go-to proteins to bulk it up and make it your own. Some of our go-to ways to jazz it up are:

Shrimp
Chicken Kofta
Beef Kofta Meatballs
Ground Turkey
Sautéed Mushrooms

close up image of cooked pasta with pesto and veggies

How to Make One Pot Silky Pesto Pasta

You’re not going to believe how speedy this dish is to make or that it’s even easier to clean up!

Sauté. Heat the oil in a large, deep Dutch oven, and sauté the onions until they’re fragrant. Add in the garlic.
Combine the Ingredients. Once the garlic is fragrant, add the rest of the veggies, uncooked pasta, broth, and seasonings.
Boil. Stir to combine, and bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, and cook until the pasta and veggies are tender, stirring halfway through.
Add the Remaining Ingredients. Stir in the pesto, peas, parmesan, and cream. Garnish, and serve warm!

How to Store and Reheat

This silky pesto pasta is a great meal prep recipe that can be enjoyed throughout the week. Just follow the storage tips below to keep it fresh!

Refrigerator: Once cooked and fully cooled, leftovers can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Freezer: Store your pasta in the freezer for up to 6 months!

To Reheat: When you’re ready to eat, let your pasta thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, warm it up in 30-second intervals in the microwave. Or, add it back to a pot on the stove over medium heat! If your pasta seems a little dry, stir in an extra splash of broth or cream to freshen it back up!

close up image of creamy pesto pasta with asparagus, zucchini, and peas

Silky Pesto Pasta Common Questions

Can I use store-bought pesto for this?

Totally! Store-bought pesto works like a charm, especially when you’re short on time. Just pick a good-quality one with real basil and olive oil—and if you’ve got fresh lemon or parmesan at home, those are great for zhuzhing it up.

What kind of pasta works finest for silky pesto?

Short pasta like penne, rotini, or shells are awesome because they scoop up all that saucy goodness. But honestly, anything you have in the pantry will work—no need to get fancy.

Do I need to cook the pasta separately?

Nope! That’s the beauty of the one-pot method. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, which makes it extra flavorful and saves you from washing another dish. Win-win.

Can I add veggies to silky pesto pasta?

Yes! Cherry tomatoes, spinach, zucchini, or peas are all simple add-ins. They brighten things up and make it feel a little more like a full meal.

More Satisfying One Pot Pasta Recipes

Can’t get enough one-pot pasta in your life? We’ve got you covered with plenty more one-pot recipes!

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 8 servings

Prep: 2 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 17 mins

Herbaceous and full of flavor, this One Pot Silky Pesto Pasta is the standout weeknight comfort food! Made in one pot, it’s speedy, nutritious, and ready in minutes. Email

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small oniondiced
4 cloves garlicminced
16 ounces dry rotini pasta
1/2 cup asparaguschopped
1 cup zucchinichopped
4 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper + more or less to taste
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons sea salt + more or less to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more or less to taste
1/2 cup pestofrom-scratch or store-bought
1/2 cup frozen green peas
1 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
1/3 cup heavy cream
Optional: fresh oregano or basil for garnish

Instructions

In a large, deep dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, and sauté 2-3 minutes or until translucent. Add the garlic, and stir just until fragrant. Add in the uncooked pasta, asparagus, zucchini, broth, crushed red pepper, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Bring the ingredients to a boil. Cover, and cook on medium heat for 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Remove the lid, and stir in the pesto, peas, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream until well combined.
Garnish fresh oregano or basil, and serve warm.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.