Creamy Pesto Pasta

Health score
13%
Creamy Pesto Pasta
45 min.
4
528kcal

Suggestions


Craving a restaurant-worthy meal without the restaurant price tag? Look no further than this Creamy Pesto Pasta! In just 45 minutes, you can whip up a dish so flavorful and comforting, you'll wonder why you ever ordered takeout.

This recipe balances rich, creamy textures with the bright, herbaceous punch of fresh basil. The secret? A luscious sauce made with light cream cheese (neufchâtel) melted down with the subtle sweetness of sautéed onions and garlic, all deglazed with a splash of dry white wine and chicken broth for depth of flavor.

Imagine tender rigatoni pasta, perfectly cooked, swathed in this velvety pesto-infused sauce. It's a symphony of flavors that will dance on your palate. Top it all off with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a touch of salt and pepper to really bring out the best in this pasta.

Whether you're looking for a quick and satisfying lunch, a comforting weeknight dinner, or an elegant side dish to impress your guests, this Creamy Pesto Pasta is sure to become a new family favorite. Get ready to fall in love with the simplicity and incredible taste of this delightful pasta dish! Prepare to impress with this quick to whip-up meal.

Ingredients

  • 0.8 cup chicken broth 
  • 0.3 cup cooking wine dry white
  • cup basil leaves fresh chopped (one varieties)
  • cloves garlic minced
  • servings salt and fresh-ground pepper 
  • oz neufchâtel cheese light ( cream)
  • teaspoon olive oil 
  • oz onion chopped
  • servings parmesan cheese grated
  • ounces rigatoni pasta dried

Equipment

  • frying pan

Directions

  1. Cook pasta in about 3 quarts boiling water until just barely tender to bite, 7 to 9 minutes.
  2. Drain.
  3. Meanwhile, in a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan, combine onion, garlic, and butter. Stir often over medium-high heat until onion is limp, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add neufchtel cheese and stir until melted, about 3 minutes. Stir broth and wine into pan and mix until blended.
  5. Add basil and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  6. Add pasta to sauce and stir until pasta is coated with sauce. If sauce gets too thick, stir in a little water to thin. Spoon onto plates.
  7. Add parmesan, salt, and pepper to taste.

Nutrition Facts

Calories528kcal
Protein17.52%
Fat40.67%
Carbs41.81%

Properties

Glycemic Index
52.75
Glycemic Load
18.9
Inflammation Score
-8
Nutrition Score
16.864782644355%

Flavonoids

Malvidin
0.01mg
Catechin
0.12mg
Epicatechin
0.08mg
Hesperetin
0.06mg
Naringenin
0.06mg
Apigenin
0.01mg
Luteolin
0.01mg
Isorhamnetin
2.13mg
Kaempferol
0.29mg
Myricetin
0.07mg
Quercetin
8.7mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:527.86kcal
26.39%
Fat:23.36g
35.95%
Saturated Fat:12.23g
76.41%
Carbohydrates:54.05g
18.02%
Net Carbohydrates:51.34g
18.67%
Sugar:5.54g
6.15%
Cholesterol:68.94mg
22.98%
Sodium:1078.39mg
46.89%
Alcohol:1.54g
100%
Alcohol %:0.76%
100%
Protein:22.65g
45.3%
Selenium:48.99µg
69.99%
Phosphorus:401.5mg
40.15%
Manganese:0.78mg
38.82%
Calcium:373.88mg
37.39%
Vitamin K:27.33µg
26.03%
Vitamin A:1054.91IU
21.1%
Zinc:2.78mg
18.51%
Vitamin B2:0.27mg
16.11%
Magnesium:57.2mg
14.3%
Copper:0.25mg
12.47%
Vitamin B6:0.24mg
12.12%
Potassium:381.28mg
10.89%
Fiber:2.71g
10.85%
Vitamin B12:0.58µg
9.73%
Folate:32.37µg
8.09%
Vitamin B5:0.77mg
7.66%
Iron:1.37mg
7.6%
Vitamin B1:0.11mg
7.38%
Vitamin B3:1.35mg
6.74%
Vitamin C:5.4mg
6.54%
Vitamin E:0.66mg
4.42%
Source:My Recipes