Quick and easy pesto penne pasta is a simple and light Italian pasta dish made with just five ingredients in under 15 minutes. Freshly cooked pasta is packed with flavour when tossed in pesto, fresh cherry tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. It is best served fresh for an easy weeknight dinner, and serve any leftovers cold as a pasta salad the next day for lunch.
Pesto penne pasta is one of the easiest and quickest pasta recipes you will make... like ever. If you are all about those quick and easy meals, then you will also love these other pasta dishes that take less than 20 minutes to prep and cook: Spaghetti Carbonara, Avocado Basil Pesto Spaghetti, Stovetop Mac and Cheese with White Cheddar, and Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta Bake.
Pesto Penne Ingredients
To make easy pesto pasta, you need the following simple ingredients:
- penne pasta - or substitute with your favourite kind of pasta. I like the penne shape because it traps so much delicious sauce inside.
- basil pesto - it's really easy to make fresh basil pesto homemade in just 5 minutes, or you can easily use store-bought pesto as well.
- cherry tomatoes
- Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper
You will also need a large cooking pot and a mixing bowl.
How to Make the Best Pesto Penne Pasta
- Make the penne pasta. 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 ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander and let it cool for 1 minute.
- Toss in pesto. Transfer pasta into a large mixing bowl and add pesto and reserved pasta water (¼ cup or more, if desired). Season with salt and pepper and toss well to coat. Stir in cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
- Serve. Serve immediately. Sprinkle extra parmesan on top, if desired.
Tips
- Toss in a mixing bowl. When mixing the pasta and pesto together, make sure to use a mixing bowl rather than just mixing in the post. The pot is too hot and will cause the basil in the pesto to turn black.
- How to customize. You can customize this penne pasta by adding in cooked meat or vegetables such as chicken, shrimp, zucchini, or broccoli.
- How to serve. Serve pesto penne pasta with a side of crusty garlicky bread such as pull apart garlic bread, rosemary garlic focaccia bread, ciabatta bread, or tomato focaccia bread. You can also pair it with a fresh salad on the side such as an easy Greek salad, Mediterranean chickpea wedge salad, or tomato cucumber avocado salad.
- How to store. Pesto pasta is best served fresh or cold as a pasta salad. Store any leftovers an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. I would not recommend reheating, as this will also cause the basil to turn black when heated. You can serve leftovers as a delicious pasta salad.
More Pasta Recipes
- Avocado Basil Pesto Spaghetti
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Cheesy Tortellini and Sausage Bake
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta Bake
- Creamy White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna
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Recipe
Pesto Penne Pasta
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. penne pasta (3 cups)
- ½ cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- 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 ¼ 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 (¼ 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.
Notes
Toss in a mixing bowl. When mixing the pasta and pesto together, make sure to use a mixing bowl rather than just mixing in the post. The pot is too hot and will cause the basil in the pesto to turn black.
How to customize. You can customize this penne pasta by adding in cooked meat or vegetables such as chicken, shrimp, zucchini, or broccoli.
How to serve. Serve pesto penne pasta with a side of crusty garlicky bread such as pull apart garlic bread, rosemary garlic focaccia bread, ciabatta bread, or tomato focaccia bread. You can also pair it with a fresh salad on the side such as an easy Greek salad, Mediterranean chickpea wedge salad, or tomato cucumber avocado salad.
How to store. Pesto pasta is best served fresh or cold as a pasta salad. Store any leftovers an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. I would not recommend reheating, as this will also cause the basil to turn black when heated. You can serve leftovers as a delicious pasta salad.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
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Samuel says
Absolutely delicious
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you Samuel!
Debbie B says
This was very good and super easy! Next time I will add some chicken 🙂
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you Debbie! Chicken is a great idea!
Rebecca says
So easy and delicious!!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you Rebecca!
kenna says
My family really enjoyed this dish. Thank you!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
Just tried this recipe and my family loved it. Thank you so much!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you Shadi! That makes me so happy to hear!
Noelle Simpson says
This was absolutely delicious! Great flavors, easy to make, perfect for dinner!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you Noelle! So happy you like the pasta.