Easy Pesto and Sun-dried Tomato Pasta weeknight dinner

There are some recipes that become go-to meals simply because they are easy, delicious, and made with ingredients you can actually find at the grocery store. This creamy sun-dried tomato pesto pasta is one of those recipes. With a handful of ingredients, a large skillet, and about 20 minutes, you can have a flavorful pasta dinner on the table—even on the busiest of busy weeknights.

The combination of pesto sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and a little lemon juice makes a light but creamy sauce that coats every bite of pasta. Add chicken Italian sausage for extra protein, or keep it vegetarian. The best part is that you don’t need anything fancy to make this comforting pasta recipe. Serve it with crusty bread and a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves, and dinner is done.

Why I love this Sun-dried Tomato Pasta

Delicious pesto and sundried tomato pasta gets dinner on the table fast and uses only one pan! As much as I like to be in the kitchen, the kitchen is the last place I want to be in the summer! However, with everyone at home and differing schedules, someone is always eating.  So, I rely heavily on quick one-pot dinners and my grill during the summer months.

One fresh, easy-to-make ingredient that I always try to keep on hand is pesto.  There are many delicious pre-made pestos that you can purchase at the store, but I love to make my own.

Gather these ingredients

How to Make Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

This is an easy recipe that comes together quickly, so have your ingredients ready before you start. For the exact measurements and complete instructions, be sure to check the recipe card below.

Cook the pasta. Cook your pasta in salted water until al dente, following the package directions. Reserve a little pasta water before draining.

Cook the sausage. I used Italian Chicken Sausage fully cooked. I cut it into chunks. I also like to use shredded rotisserie chicken. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked/heated through. Add in the cooked pasta.

Make the sauce. Add the pesto sauce and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and cook over medium heat until the sauce is warm and creamy.

Add lemon juice. Stir in lemon juice. Add black pepper and salt to taste. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.

Finish and serve. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Top with fresh basil leaves, or other fresh herbs if you like. And if you have parmesan cheese this is also a great addition. Serve immediately with crusty bread.

The cooking time is short, which is exactly why this pasta has become such a useful weeknight dinner. You can have a restaurant-worthy comfort meal without spending your evening in the kitchen.

Variations

One of the things I love about this pasta recipe is how easily you can make it your own. Start with the basic creamy pesto sauce and then change up the protein, vegetables, or pasta depending on what you have on hand.

• Add chicken: Turn this into chicken pesto pasta by adding cooked, sliced chicken breast or rotisserie chicken. It’s an easy way to add extra protein.
• Use Italian sausage: Chicken Italian sausage is my favorite way to make this a heartier dinner, but regular Italian sausage works, too.
• Skip the meat: Leave out the sausage or chicken for a simple vegetarian pasta dinner.
• Add vegetables: Spinach, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, asparagus, or broccoli are all delicious additions.
• Make it spicy: Add extra red pepper flakes for a little heat.
• Change the herbs: Finish the pasta with fresh basil leaves, parsley, or whatever fresh herbs you have available.
• Use what you have: This is one of those recipes that is forgiving. Different shapes of pasta work well, and you can adjust the amount of sauce to your liking.

This creamy sun-dried tomato pesto pasta is exactly the kind of dinner I want in my back pocket—a go-to meal that feels special but is really just an easy recipe made with simple ingredients. The pesto and sun-dried tomatoes bring so much flavor, while the cream and Parmesan create a sauce that is rich without being too heavy.

If you’re looking for a quick comfort meal for a weeknight, put this one on the list. And don’t forget the crusty bread—you’ll want something to swipe through every last bit of that delicious sauce! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat when you’re ready for another helping. Please take a moment to rate this recipe it helps others find it on their searches for good weeknight dinners. Thank you for being here. From my table to yours with love, Sheila

Easy Pesto with sun-dried tomato pasta weeknight dinner

Sheila

This creamy sun-dried tomato pesto pasta is an easy, flavorful dinner that comes together in about 25 minutes. Pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and cream make a light but creamy sauce that coats every bite. Add chicken Italian sausage for extra protein, or leave it out for a simple vegetarian meal. It’s an easy recipe and a perfect go-to for busy weeknights!

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Cook ModePrevent your screen from going to sleep

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 1685 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 pound pasta cooked al dente
• 1/3 cup reserved pasta water
• 1 pound chicken shredded chicken, chicken sausage
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup pesto
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 tbsp lemon juice 1/2 lemon
• 1/4 cup fresh basil torn or chopped

Instructions

 

• Cook pasta al dente, even a little under done, because pasta is going to continue to cook with sauce. I cooked my pasta for 6 minutes. Reserve 1/3 cup pasta water before draining pasta. Set pasta aside.
• In a large shallow pan cook protein,(or reheat if already cooked) in a tablespoon of olive oil, until fully cooked, letting it get a little browned, this adds flavor.
• Toss in cooked pasta, pesto, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and pasta water, toss until fully incorporated. Cook over medium low heat for 5 minutes.
• Add lemon juice and fresh torn or chopped basil at the very end.

Notes

Note: I used precooked chicken sausage for this recipe. However, I have used chicken breast cubes, ground chicken or turkey, and shrimp. 

You can also leave protein out, making it a vegetarian dinner option. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 1685kcalCarbohydrates: 93gProtein: 18gFat: 137gSaturated Fat: 41gPolyunsaturated Fat: 25gMonounsaturated Fat: 55gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 312mgPotassium: 598mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 997IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 3mg

Keyword chicken, easy, easy dinner, one pan, pasta, pesto, sun-dried

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