This recipe for a 4 ingredient pesto pasta comes together in no more time than it takes to boil noodles. An easy weeknight meal that doesn't skip on flavour.
Honestly, when I finally decided to turn my radish top pesto into a pasta dish, I wasn't even going to post it to the blog because it's SO easy. As much as I love beautiful and elaborate dishes, sometimes you just need something that comes together quickly and is reasonably healthy.
Contents
Ingredients and Substitutions
Ingredients
This is a pasta of resourcefulness. It's incredibly customizable, full of flavor and about as easy as it gets. All you need to make two portions of this recipe is:
- 2 cups Pasta, cooked
- 1 tablespoon Herb and Garlic Boursin Cheese
- 3 tablespoons Pesto, homemade preferred
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
Substitutions and Diet Modifications
What kind of pasta should I use? For this recipe I used Rotini because I like using pasta that grabs the sauce. Alternatively, you could use any short-medium length pasta (macaroni, penne, fusili) or even spaghetti or fettuccine.
What can I use instead of Herb and Garlic Boursin Cheese? You can substitute an equal amount of cream cheese! If you do this, I'd recommend adding in some Italian seasoning mix and maybe even a bit of butter if you have it.
Can I make this a vegan pesto pasta? Yup! The base of the 4 ingredient pesto pasta sauce is really only a cream cheese, a parmesan cheese and a pesto. If you have vegan parmesan cheese and a vegan cream cheese on hand - just make your own pesto to make sure it's vegan. I recommend my fuss free pesto recipe with budget options.
Instructions, FAQs and Other Tips
Instructions
- Cook your pasta per package instructions as per your "doneness" preference. I like a slightly al dente noodle. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Off the heat, combine drained noodles, Boursin cheese and pesto in the pot used to boil the noodles. If the Boursin isn't melting, you can return the pot to the stove for a minute at a time. Try to avoid cooking the pesto - just keep it warm enough to heat through.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This meal can be bulked up with a serving of grilled chicken or seafood but is more than fine alone.
That's it! It's truly the easiest pasta recipe of all time and everyone loves it! It's great as a base for a dinner party because it tastes more impressive than it really is. There's nothing better than having a recipe for a 4 ingredient pesto pasta in your back pocket for emergencies!
FAQ:
What can I add to pesto pasta? I love the simplicity of this recipe and genuinely love it as is. If you want a healthier pasta without having to make any sides, feel free to throw in some frozen peas. When I lived alone this was my late night "I haven't eaten any veggies today" solution.
How can I make this 4 ingredient pesto pasta a meal? The best way to round out this meal is to serve it with your protein of choice. I prefer a nice grilled chicken, but shrimp, chickpeas or any fish make a great addition. I wouldn't recommend it with red meat.
What sides go best with this? The sky is honestly your limit! I love it with a fresh salad or a soup. I'd recommend a nice asparagus soup. If you want to keep up the Italian vibe, this caprese salad recipe from Skinnytaste is a great option, too!
I don't want to make pesto - what should I buy? I really don't love most store bought pesto. If you're going to buy one, look for one that's refrigerated. A lot of shelf stable ones have been heated to preserve them and they loose their freshness.
How much is 2 cooked cups of pasta? This depends both on how long you cook the pasta and what shape it is. In general for small shapes (macaroni, rotini, rigatoni) the guide is ½ cup dry to 1 cup cooked. If you're making 2 servings, you'll need 1 cup of dry pasta.
If you want to be sure based on the shape of pasta you have, Barilla put out a guide to measuring pasta.
Zero Waste Tips
Okay, I made pesto and now I have a ton left over. What can I use leftover pesto in? Honestly, I'd just make more of this pasta! If you're not in the mood for pasta, a mood I certainly don't relate to, I'd recommend using it to top a pizza, mixed into scrambled eggs, or my favourite way, this pesto grilled chicken marinade from Mel's Kitchen Cafe!
Want to kill two birds with one stone? Make the grilled chicken and top the pasta with it to fully round out your 4 ingredient pesto pasta.
Want something a little richer? Try my easy sriracha fried chicken mac and cheese!
Easy 4 Ingredient Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 cup pasta cooked
- 1 tbsp Boursin cheese or cream cheese
- 3 tbsp pesto homemade preferred
- 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- Cook your pasta per package instructions as per your preference. I like a slightly al dente noodle. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Off the heat, combine drained noodles, Boursin cheese and pesto in the pot used to boil the noodles. If the Boursin isn't melting, you can return the pot to the stove for a minute at a time. Try to avoid cooking the pesto - just keep it warm enough to heat through.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This meal can be bulked up with a serving of grilled chicken or seafood but is more than fine alone.
Notes
Nutrition
Liked this recipe?
Subscribe to our newsletter here to get weekly exclusive recipes sent to your email!
Needful content. Keep creating content like this! Tons of love for you
Thanks Barshan!
Yum! This looks delicious! Pesto is one of my favorites so I’ll definitely have to try this recipe
It's super simple. You'll have to let me know if you try it 🙂
Looks sooo good, Going to try this soon
Thanks Hong! Hope you love it.
Love the simplicity of it!! Yummy!
It's super easy, Kate. Hope you try it!
Super and quick easy dinner to make after a busy day! Can't wait to try the rest of your recipes 🙂
Glad you liked it Katherine. It's one of my favourites, too!