Homemade Pesto Penne Pasta

Homemade Pesto Pasta – Fresh, Bright, and Full of Flavor

There’s nothing like homemade pesto—it’s fresh, garlicky, nutty, and cheesy all at once, coating every bite of pasta with bold flavor. This Homemade Pesto Pasta is one of those quick and easy dinners that tastes like you ordered it at a little Italian café, but it comes together in your kitchen in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy nights when you still want something wholesome and flavorful on the table.

Ingredients and Why They Work

Fresh basil is the heart of the pesto, bringing that vibrant green color and herby freshness. Pine nuts or walnuts add nuttiness and a creamy texture when blended. Garlic gives the sauce its bold kick and depth of flavor. Olive oil brings it all together with richness and smoothness.

Parmesan cheese adds salty, nutty, umami goodness that makes pesto so irresistible. Salt and pepper help balance and brighten all the flavors. Pasta is the canvas that lets the pesto shine—penne works beautifully, but any shape you love will do.

How to Make Homemade Pesto Pasta

Start by cooking your pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. While the pasta cooks, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, add the basil leaves, nuts, and garlic, then pulse a few times until they’re roughly chopped.

With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and thick, scraping down the sides as needed. Add in the grated parmesan cheese and pulse again just until everything is combined—you don’t want to overprocess, just blend it enough so it’s creamy and spreadable.

Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water in case you want to loosen the sauce later. Toss the hot pasta with the pesto until every piece is coated, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed. Serve right away with extra parmesan sprinkled on top.

I made this recipe for the first time on a night when I needed something quick but wanted to feel like we were eating something a little special. My kids wrinkled their noses at the bright green color at first, but once they took a bite, they were hooked. My husband, who loves pasta in any form, declared it “a keeper” after his first bowl, and now it’s become one of our staple weeknight dinners. Sometimes I’ll toss in grilled chicken or roasted veggies to switch it up, but honestly, it’s just as good all by itself.

FAQs About Homemade Pesto Pasta

This isn’t just another pasta recipe—it’s quick, fresh, and customizable. The pesto is made from scratch, so you know exactly what’s going into it, and the flavor is miles ahead of store-bought versions. Plus, it’s versatile: toss it with pasta, spread it on sandwiches, or drizzle it over grilled veggies. It’s one of those recipes that makes you feel like you’re treating yourself without actually doing much extra work.

Here are some more amazing pasta recipes to try:

• The Best Pasta Recipes For Weeknight Dinners
• Homemade Pesto Pasta For An Easy Weeknight Meal
• Delicious Chicken Pesto Mozzarella Sandwich
• Easy Applebees Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe
• Easy Creamy Spinach Artichoke Penne Recipe