Red Pesto Pasta (Quick & Easy!)

reader reviews

"This is a super simple pasta recipe that my kids and husband enjoyed!" ~ Ashley

key ingredients:

pasta sun-dried tomatoes almonds garlic salt olive oil parmesan cheese

about this recipe

dairy free minimal ingredients 20 minute meal

This red pesto pasta comes together in just 20 minutes, and is the perfect time-saving weeknight vegetarian dinner everyone will love. Quick, easy, and oh-so delicious, plus, I’m using a simple technique to make it extra creamy, no cream involved!

STEP 1:

Gather ingredients and start cooking the pasta. Reserve some pasta water.

STEP 2:

Add the pesto ingredients to a food processor. Pulse to a coarse paste.

STEP 3:

Continue pulsing while slowly drizzling in the olive oil until well incorporated.

STEP 4:

Add the chicken back to the pan and simmer. Finish with butter and season to taste.

STEP 5:

Add half of the red pesto to the cooked pasta. Toss to combine.

STEP 6:

Serve with parmesan, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil.

This vegetarian pasta dinner is perfect on its own, but if you want to bump up the protein even more, stir in a can of drained and rinsed white beans, 2 cans of drained tuna, or shredded cooked chicken at the end to warm through.

bump up the protein

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