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Creamy Pesto Pasta Recipe: Quick, Comforting Comfort Food
Youssef Hb

Creamy Pesto Pasta Recipe: Quick, Comforting Comfort Food

A stovetop-creamed pasta dish with herby pesto and parmesan, offering a silky, indulgent texture in minutes. Ideal for busy nights when you crave comfort without fuss.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: DINNER
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ pound pasta, preferably fettuccine
  • 3 tbsp salted butter (or ghee/olive oil for dairy-free)
  • 4 cloves grated garlic
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for vegan)
  • ½ cup milk (any dairy or non-dairy)
  • ¼ cup pesto (classic or lemon-herb)
  • ⅓ cup parmesan, freshly grated (use vegetarian parmesan if needed)

Method
 

  1. Boil pasta in generously salted water (1 tbsp salt per 4 cups water) until al dente. Reserve 1/3 cup pasta water.
  2. Melt butter in a skillet over low heat. Add garlic; cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Whisk in cream, milk, and pesto. Stir 1 minute until heated through.
  4. Slowly add parmesan, whisking constantly until fully dissolved.
  5. Transfer pasta into the skillet with tongs. Add reserved pasta water as needed to create a velvety sauce.

Notes

For dairy-free: use olive oil, coconut cream, and vegan pesto. Avoid high heat when toasting garlic to prevent bitterness. Whisk cheese continuously to avoid clumps. Garnish with fresh basil or garlic powder for extra flavor.