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    Home » Recipe Index

    Pesto Pasta for One

    September 26, 2021 By Rebecca 30 Minute Meals, Cooking for One, Easy Recipes, Entrees, Pantry Dinners, Pasta Dishes, Prep Ahead Meals, Recipe Index, Spring Recipes, Summer Recipes, Vegetarian Dishes

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    bowtie pasta with pesto in a white bowl with ingredients on table

    Make this pesto pasta for one in just 10 minutes with pre-made pesto sauce, like this Arugula Basil Pesto or Pistachio Pesto. It's a quick dinner to throw together on days you didn't plan ahead and want something equally easy and delicious.

    bowtie pasta with pesto in a white bowl with ingredients on table

    [This recipe was originally posted in April 2016. It has been updated with new photos, cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, video and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

    Table of contents

    • How will this pasta make your life easier?
    • What makes this pasta with pesto so good?
    • How do I make this recipe?
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    How will this pasta make your life easier?

    If you ever had days where you didn't plan dinner, but aren't in the mood for take-out or cereal-this pesto pasta is for you! You can have an easy dinner in just 10-15 minutes, depending on whether you have pesto in your pantry.

    This pasta is full of delicious pantry ingredients like pasta, edamame, frozen vegetables, pesto, grated parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes (if you want). Now this ingredient list doesn't look like a thrown together dinner-but it is!

    Make this Arugula Basil Pesto when you have too much arugula or basil around, and freeze for later. Or grab your favorite jar of pre-made pesto sauce from the store.

    Need more quick dinner ideas? Here are a couple faves: Pasta with Black Beans, White Bean and Farro Bowl, Black Bean and Veggie Quesadilla, and Sheet Pan Shrimp Dinner.

    What makes this pasta with pesto so good?

    pesto pasta ingredients on a table
    frozen broccoli, parmesan cheese, bowtie pasta, edamame, and pesto in an ice tray

    How do I make this recipe?

    *Make your own pesto or use store bought pesto for this 10 minute pasta recipe.

    pasta and broccoli cooking in a pot

    Cook pasta according to package directions. Add edamame and frozen vegetables to pasta when it has about 5 minutes left to cook.

    hand holding pasta water over pasta in pot

    Reserve 1-2 Tablespoons of pasta water, then drain water.

    bow tie pasta with pesto in a glass bowl

    Transfer pasta and vegetables to serving bowl or mixing bowl. Add fresh or frozen pesto and toss. Top pesto pasta with grated parmesan cheese and red chili flakes (optional) and enjoy.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • Chicken, salmon, tofu, and shrimp are all good proteins to go on this pasta if you don't have edamame.
    • Be careful about heating store-bought pesto up as it may turn brown/black. The Arugula Basil Pesto shouldn't turn brown/black because it doesn't have a ton of basil in it.
    • Frozen vegetables cook easily in the pasta water, and are inexpensive, but you can substitute them for any other vegetable, or don't add vegetables.
    • Other great add-ins: cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, toasted pine nuts or cashews, extra virgin olive oil.

    FAQ

    Is pesto pasta healthy?

    As a dietitian, I recommend eating a variety of foods, so yes, it's healthy. This pasta is full of great flavors, and is a great way to add vegetables to your dinner, if you'd like to eat more.

    Is pesto pasta vegetarian?

    This pasta for one is vegetarian. It's got edamame to add protein. It's not vegan because there's cheese in the pesto and the garnish, but you can substitute nutritional yeast for the parmesan cheese.

    Should pesto pasta be hot or cold?

    It's great both hot, cold, and room temperature. That's why using edamame is great, it won't go bad if it's sitting out. This pasta makes for a good lunch because you don't have to heat it up.

    close up of pesto pasta in a bowl

    What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    • Pasta: Here are a bunch of pasta recipes.
    • Edamame: Beef and Broccoli or Mandarin Orange and Spinach Salad
    • Parmesan Cheese: 15 Minute Pasta, One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta, or Pasta with Mushroom Sauce

    Did you make this pesto pasta? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    bowtie pasta with pesto in a white bowl with ingredients on table
    Print Pin

    Pesto Pasta for One

    Make this pesto pasta for one in just 10 minutes with pre-made pesto sauce, like this Arugula Basil Pesto or Pistachio Pesto. It's a quick dinner you can throw together on days you didn't plan ahead and want something equally easy and delicious.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 0 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca

    Equipment

    • Medium Pot
    • medium mixing bowl
    • fork
    • MIcroplaner or Box Grater

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces pasta of choice
    • ¼ cup shelled edamame
    • ¼ cup freezer pesto
    • ½ cup frozen vegetables optional
    • grated parmesan cheese to taste
    • red pepper flakes optional

    Instructions

    • Cook 2 ounces pasta according to box directions.
    • When pasta is about 5 minutes from being done, add ¼ cup frozen edamame and ½ cup frozen vegetables (optional) to cooking pasta. Finish cooking until vegetables are tender and pasta is al dente.
    • Reserve 1-2 Tablespoons of pasta water before draining
    • Drain water, transfer pasta to serving bowl or mixing bowl, add back 1 Tablespoon of pasta water, and ¼ cup pesto. Stir until all pasta is coated with pesto. Add more pasta water if needed.
    • Top with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot or cold. 

    Video

    10 Minute Pesto Pasta for One

    Want to get more single serving recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Recipe Index

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    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren Grant | Zestful Kitchen says

      April 17, 2017 at 9:55 am

      Ok, now I'm hungry! All my favorite ingredients, looks and sounds delicious!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 17, 2017 at 1:51 pm

        yes so many great ingredients! thanks Lauren!

        Reply
    2. Kathryn Pfeffer says

      April 17, 2017 at 2:22 pm

      I love using hemp seeds in pesto! This dish looks so fresh and delicious! Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 18, 2017 at 8:53 am

        me too! such an easy and nutty addition!

        Reply

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    Rebecca, MS, RDN
    of Nourish Nutrition

    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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