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Creamy Pesto Pasta with Garlic Butter Tomatoes

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This Creamy Pesto Pasta with Garlic Butter Tomatoes is an easy but delicious dinner you can quickly put together on a busy night.

When weeknights are busy, I love having go-to simple dishes (like nachos, pulled pork sandwiches, or breakfast tacos) that take little prep and come together quickly. I love to mix it up each week with some more complicated dinners on slower nights, and simpler meals on busy evenings.

I love this creamy pesto because adding parm and cream to the pesto really evens out the strong pesto flavor, while also helping it coat the noodles well. And don’t forget the garlic butter seared tomatoes! They add a delicious fresh burst of flavor to the pasta. This meal is easy and filling, and a perfect dish to take to friends or neighbors as well. You can make it with a salad for a simple meal, or you can combine it with pesto chicken or chicken parm and Lion house rolls for a nicer full dinner spread.

Creamy Pesto Pasta with Garlic Butter Tomatoes

This Creamy Pesto Pasta with Garlic Butter Tomatoes is an easy but delicious dinner you can quickly put together on a busy night.
Servings 6

Ingredients

Pesto Pasta

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 lb. pasta (I used bucatini)
  • 1 cup pre-made pesto 8 oz. jar
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan

Garlic Butter Tomatoes

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (4 tablespoons)
  • 2 cups large chopped tomatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Creamy Pesto Pasta

  • In a very large pot of boiling water, over high heat, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Then add pasta. Cook until done.
  • Strain pasta and immediately transfer to a bowl with pesto. Mix well to ensure pasta doesn't stick toether.
  • Add cream and mix well. Then top with grated parmesan and lightly mix.

Garlic Butter Tomatoes

  • While pasta water is boiling, prepare tomatoes. Dice the tomatoes into large pieces (or you can use grape tomatoes, halved).
  • Add butter to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and cook until bubbling. Then add garlic and cook for 1 minute, being careful not to burn garlic.
  • Add tomatoes and stir to coat. Then add salt, sugar, and pepper. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes until tomatoes are soft and slightly saucy.
  • Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Once pesto pasta is done and mixed well, top with garlic butter tomatoes. Leave as a topping or mix throughout. Top with fresh basil and more black pepper.
    The tomatoes add the best burst of freshness to the pesto. Enjoy!

I hope you get a chance to make this Creamy Pesto Pasta with Garlic Butter Tomatoes. Be sure to tag me at @plumstreetcollective on Instagram if you make this.

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