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    Home » Recipe Index

    Pesto Pasta for One

    December 18, 2023 Updated February 3, 2024 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD 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
    bowtie pasta with pesto in a white bowl with ingredients on table

    Make 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 easy and delicious.

    close up of pesto pasta in a bowl

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

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Storage/Reheating Tips
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other good pasta recipes
    • What to do with leftover ingredients

    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 for one is for you! You can have an easy dinner in just 10-15 minutes, if 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). This ingredient list doesn't look like a thrown together dinner-but it is!

    Make 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. Either works, and will be delicious.

    I love this recipe and others like it because I don't plan meals as often as I'd like, and I know that's the case for more of us than we often admit (it's so common for solo cooks!). Let's work with what we've got and make something delicious!

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the pesto pasta for one recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.

    pesto pasta ingredients on a table
    • Pesto: Make some with about to go bad basil, arugula, spinach, etc. Or buy your favorite kind. Some of my favorites are the Kirkland brand and Trader Joe's.
    • Edamame: A great plant based protein source, can be added to the cooking pasta, and it adds nice texture to this pasta. You could also use chicken, sausage, salmon or whatever else you like.
    • Pasta: Use your favorite shape. Pasta with some ridges helps the sauce stick and get very creamy, but use what you have, your pesto pasta for one will be great.
    • Parmesan
    • Vegetables: If you'd like more vegetables in your pesto pasta for one, I recommend adding frozen vegetables to the almost done pasta. Add it with 2-3 minutes cook time remaining for best results.
    • Basil

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

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

    pasta and broccoli cooking in a pot

    1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Add edamame and frozen vegetables to pasta when it has about 2-3 minutes left to cook.

    hand holding pasta water over pasta in pot

    2. Reserve 1-2 Tablespoons of pasta water, then drain water. This helps thicken up your sauce, and helps it stick to the pasta.

    I highly recommend doing this.

    bow tie pasta with pesto in a glass bowl

    3. 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.

    Storage/Reheating Tips

    Store in an airtight container for about a week, in the fridge. I like to sprinkle a bit of water on pasta before reheating as it can get dried out in the fridge. It helps the sauce feel extra smooth and creamy.

    I wouldn't recommend freezing this pesto pasta for one as the pasta might break apart after freezing.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • Chicken, salmon, tofu, and shrimp are all good proteins to go on this single serving 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.
    • Add back 1-2 Tablespoons of pasta water to your pasta and sauce. The starch in the water helps your sauce stick to the pasta, and keeps the sauce very creamy and lovely.
    • If you're storing any for leftovers, add a sprinkle of water to pasta before reheating, it'll help preserve the creamy sauce consistency.
    • Other great add-ins: cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, toasted pine nuts or cashews, extra virgin olive oil would all be great on this pesto pasta for one.

    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.

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

    Other good pasta recipes

    • Pasta with Black Beans
    • One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
    • Creamy Jerk Shrimp Pasta for One
    • Chicken Bacon and Mushroom Pasta

    What to do with leftover ingredients

    When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer 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, Pasta with Mushroom Sauce, or Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Gnocchi and Sausage for One.

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

    pesto pasta with parmesan cheese on top

    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.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 person
    Author: Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    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. 

    Notes

    • Protein options: chicken, salmon, shrimp, sausage, edamame, etc.
    • Pesto with lots of basil will turn brown when exposed to air, so keep it sealed, or make one without as much basil like this 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.
    • Add back 1-2 Tablespoons of pasta water to your pasta and sauce. The starch in the water helps your sauce stick to the pasta, and keeps the sauce creamy.
    • If you're storing any for leftovers, add a sprinkle of water to pasta before reheating, it'll help restore the creamy sauce consistency.
    • Other great add-ins: cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, toasted pine nuts or cashews, extra virgin olive oil.
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @NourishNutriCo or tag #NourishNutriCo!

    Want time saving tips to make recipes like this pesto pasta for one delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Cooking for One Time Saving Tips.

    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. 

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    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian who has been cooking for one for over 10 years. 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. Ava M says

      July 21, 2023 at 11:45 pm

      5 stars
      Pasta for one person recipe is a lifesaver! Quick, easy, and delicious. Perfect solo meal!

      Reply
      • Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says

        July 24, 2023 at 12:39 pm

        totally! great to hear

        Reply
    2. Nikki says

      July 21, 2023 at 8:50 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness, this was absolutely delicious. Can’t wait to make it again!

      Reply
      • Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says

        July 24, 2023 at 12:39 pm

        glad you enjoyed it

        Reply
    3. Anjali says

      July 21, 2023 at 8:13 pm

      5 stars
      Love this healthier, individualized version of pesto pasta! I made this for lunch today and it was delicious!

      Reply
      • Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says

        July 24, 2023 at 12:40 pm

        glad you liked it

        Reply
    4. Jayne says

      July 21, 2023 at 3:42 pm

      5 stars
      Love this pesto pasta recipe. Basil is going crazy in my garden now and this recipe was a great hit with the family. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says

        July 24, 2023 at 12:40 pm

        oh great way to use up all that basil!

        Reply
    5. Sara Welch says

      July 21, 2023 at 2:43 pm

      5 stars
      Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it was a savory success! Quick, easy and delicious; the perfect meal for a busy weeknight, indeed!

      Reply
      • Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says

        July 24, 2023 at 12:40 pm

        great to hear! it's perfect for busy nights for sure

        Reply
    6. 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
    7. 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
    5 from 5 votes

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