Creamy Pesto Pasta

Vibrant, garlicky pesto sauce mixed in with Greek yogurt makes this creamy pesto pasta both simple and comforting.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine North American

Cook Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings

Calories 310kcal

Cook the pasta according to package instructions, in a large pot of salted water.
2 servings pasta
When the pasta is done, drain the water, but reserve some of it to use in the sauce. Place the pasta back in the pot.
Add the pesto to the cooked pasta together with pasta cooking water, and mix.
3 tablespoon pesto, ¼ cup pasta cooking water
Add in yogurt, and mix again, until well combined. Taste test and add more pesto if desired, or a touch of salt and pepper.
¼ cup Greek yogurt
Serve as it is, or topped with cherry tomatoes, shredded cheese, a ball of burrata, or crispy bacon.

Make it dairy-free by using a dairy-free version of yogurt or creme fraiche
Make it vegan by using dairy-free yogurt and choosing a vegan pesto sauce with nutritional yeast in place of parmesan
For the best flavor use your favorite pesto sauce for pasta
Use homemade pesto like my red pesto sauce to make it even better!
Add your favorite toppings to make this creamy pesto pasta a new dish every time you make it
Store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days
Freeze it in an airtight container or plastic bag (to save room) for up to three months
Reheat it in the microwave or on the stove on low after thawing it in the fridge if frozen. You may need to add a little bit of yogurt to the dis0 to get the texture back.

Increase the protein with pre-cooked shrimp in the air fryer, grilled chicken, or crispy bacon bits
Add extra color and nutrients with cherry tomatoes, spinach, steamed broccoli, mushrooms, or arugula
Bump up the richness by mixing in a ball of burrata, pecorino, or extra shredded cheese
Add some flavor with red chili flakes or ribbons of fresh basil
Add texture with roasted nuts like pine nuts or walnuts - bonus points for matching the nuts in your pesto!
Do it all and load it up with homemade pesto, roasted veggies, and crunchy nuts like for my Red Pesto Pasta