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Creamy and spicy red pesto pasta

Creamy Red Pesto Pasta (15 Minutes)

Michelle
My creamy red pesto pasta! A delicious vegetarian recipe (made with red pesto from a jar), that's ready to eat in just 15 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 People
Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
  • 500 g Rigatoni Pasta
  • 300 ml Single Cream
  • 3 tbsp Red Pesto
  • 2 tbsp Garlic Paste
  • ½ Onion Chopped
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • Handful Basil Leaves (Optional)

Instructions
 

  • Boil the rigatoni pasta in a large pan on a medium to high heat for 4 to 5 minutes or according to packet instructions.
    500 g Rigatoni Pasta
  • Whilst the pasta is boiling, heat a frying pan over a medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Fry the onions for 1 to 2 minutes or until softened.
    2 tbsp Vegetable Oil, ½ Onion
  • Add 2 tablespoons of diced garlic to the pan and stir for 30 seconds.
    2 tbsp Garlic Paste
  • Add 3 tablespoons of red pesto into the frying pan and stir for 30 seconds. If you notice the mixture is starting to spit, lower the temperature.
    3 tbsp Red Pesto
  • Add single cream to the mixture and stir until the colour starts to redden. Then add salt and pepper and mix together until it's evenly distributed.
    300 ml Single Cream, ½ tsp Salt, 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • Leave the sauce to simmer on a low heat whilst you drain the pasta. Then add the pasta into the pesto sauce and mix until the sauce has coated the pasta. Finish with a sprinkling of basil leaves and enjoy!
    Handful Basil Leaves (Optional)

Notes

I love using rigatoni pasta because it's hollow in the middle and this allows room for the creamy red pesto sauce to go inside. When you bite into it the pesto sauce oozes out.

Want To Make The Pesto From Scratch?

To make a homemade red pesto paste, I blend sundried tomatoes and/or red peppers with basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and parmesan. These are my go-to ingredients, but people make it according to their personal preference, for example some use pine nuts, others use walnuts or both.

Recipe Variations

    • Make It Vegan: To make this vegan, all you need to do is take out the single cream. If you still want a creamy pasta sauce, you can try vegan single cream alternatives.
    • Add Chorizo: Chorizo will add a smoky and slightly salty flavour.
    • Change The Pasta Shape: There are so many different pastas out there, you can use your favourite pasta, or a pasta shape you've never tried before. Recently I used bow-shaped pastas!

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 13gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 290mgPotassium: 273mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 558IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 1mg
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