Easy Pesto with sun-dried tomato pasta weeknight dinner
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!
Ingredients
- 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
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