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Basil Pesto Pasta Recipe

5 from 3 votes
Total: 25 minutes
Serves 4 PEOPLE

Basil Pesto Pasta RecipeEnjoy this one pot meal prepared with homemade basil pesto and combined with caramelized onion and red bell pepper. Kid-friendly and makes a great school lunch, hot or cold ! Can even be made for a pot luck dinner or picnic parties. Combination of pesto and Rotini pasta gives this dish a subtle nutty flavor,very delicious, and tasty. You can choose any kind of pasta to make this dish – use wheat Rotini for healthier options. Adding onions and red bell pepper provided that extra crunch and I think without the extra veggies it would have been kind of dull. 

For this recipe I didn’t drain the pasta rather I used a slotted spoon/strainer to transfer the boiled pasta right into another skillet which was used to assemble the pasta. This way pasta was all smeared up in pesto sauce. Once pasta is tossed in the sauce, reserve some of its water (boiled pasta water) and add it to the finished pasta. As pasta will dry out if allowed to stand for a longer time period.

Play around with the ingredients, add more seasonal veggies or extra pesto for a more flavorful and creamier pasta. Spoon out some toasted breadcrumbs on top to add texture. Nothing fancy, incredibly quick, mild in flavor and above all very easy to make. All the bowls were licked clean and kids were up for a second serving 🙂 

Basil Pesto Pasta Recipe

Basil Pesto Pasta Recipe

5 from 3 votes
Enjoy a delicious pasta cooked with 5 basic ingredients right off your pantry/Fridge
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 PEOPLE

INGREDIENTS 

  • 1 box of Rotini Pasta
  • 1 medium Onion, cubed
  • 1 small Red Capsicum, cubed
  • 1/2 cup Homemade Basil pesto
  • 1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red chili flakes (adjust accordingly)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Before we begin prep up all the ingredients.
  • Place pasta in a pan filled 3/4 with water..
  • Drizzle some olive oil and add salt. Bring it to a boil and cook as per package instructions.
  • Once boiled, allow it to sit in water for a while. Do not drain it.
  • Heat a pan and dry roast the veggies till they are caramelized.
  • Keep them aside.
  • When ready to mix; using a strainer drop the pasta from the boiling pot to a fresh pan.
  • Add red chilies and salt..
  • Mix in Pasta sauce..
  • Mix till it's well blended. Adjust your seasonings.
  • Add in the caramelized veggies..
  • And give it a final toss.
  • Serve it in a bowl. I find bowls make it easier option to serve when it comes to pasta 🙂
Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided above is approximate. Variations may exist due to the ingredients/brands used. These numbers should be considered estimates, as they are not calculated by a registered dietician.
Author: Ruchi

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Comments

  1. Aparna says:

    This recipe turned out so tasty. You are awesome Ruchi and so are your recipe steps. Thanks my family thoroughly enjoyed it.

  2. Marley says:

    Excellent recipe, turned out really well. I wanted to thank you for your time for this fantastic blog!!I really liked every little bit of it
    and i also have you saved as a favorite to see new stuff in your blog.

  3. Indu from USA says:

    Looks and sounds good! Looking so colorful and inviting…I love pasta.. I just got back from buying groceries to make your fabulous looking pasta to feed my boy gang..I am one of your visitors from the past.. Long time reader and I have to admit you are one of my “I love your blog” group!!

    • RK says:

      Thanks you for following my blog! Give it a try and I am sure your boys are going to love it just like mine…all plates (even forks 😉 )licked clean and it’s now their regular school lunch box menu:)

  4. Dorine says:

    Loved your recipe. Perfect for a day out recipe. My friends liked it and the flavors were well blended. Thanks dear!!

  5. Rekha says:

    I am hungry 🙁 just got back from work and feel like to grab your plate! Awesome!!

    • RK says:

      Thank you Rekha! Sometimes I also feel the same way..would be easier if we can virtually download or have a 3D printer to create the actual dish 🙂

  6. Gayatri says:

    Always had a craving for basil sauce but did not know how to make it. Learnt from you and what a dish. Amazing amazing!! all i have to say excellent recipes and the way you present.

  7. Reuben says:

    Scrumptious pasta. easy to make and taste good. Homemade basil sauce was extraordinary. Thanks

  8. asmira says:

    Hi mam…m newly wedded N I’m a doctor, so I rarely knew to cook due to my schedule..m following ua receipes N cooked many dishes..my hubby absolutely loved it….u made cooking so easy for me plz continue posting new receipes ua fans over here are depend on u ;-p thanks for ua good work 🙂

    • RK says:

      Congratulations Asmira and welcome to the blog!! I am glad to hear that you are liking my recipe collection. Thanks for you kind words and will keep you posted with my upcoming recipes. 🙂