The Best Creamy Pesto Rigatoni Recipe for Cozy Dinner Magic

Whipping up a delectable pesto rigatoni promises pure culinary magic that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Pasta lovers understand the incredible comfort found in each twirled bite of creamy sauce.

Basil and pine nuts create an aromatic symphony that whispers Mediterranean charm.

Rich parmesan cheese melts into luxurious ribbons, coating perfectly al dente pasta with irresistible flavor.

Robust garlic notes weave through the emerald-green sauce, delivering intense depth to every forkful.

Simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary when blended with passion and care.

Prepare to experience a dish that turns an ordinary evening into a gourmet celebration.

What Makes Creamy Pesto Rigatoni So Tasty

• Quick Comfort Food: A rich, satisfying dish that delivers restaurant-quality flavor right in your own kitchen.
• Customizable Creativity: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping pine nuts for walnuts or adding grilled chicken for extra protein.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Guaranteed to please both kids and adults with its creamy texture and familiar pasta base.
• Simple Gourmet Experience: Transforms basic ingredients into an impressive meal that looks and tastes professionally prepared, without complex cooking techniques.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Creamy Pesto Rigatoni

• Rigatoni: A hearty pasta shape with ridges that perfectly captures the creamy pesto sauce.

• Basil Leaves: Fresh herbs that provide the classic green color and aromatic flavor of traditional pesto.
• Pine Nuts: Nutty ingredient that adds richness and depth to the pesto base.
• Garlic: Provides a sharp, pungent flavor that complements the creamy sauce.
• Olive Oil: Helps blend the pesto ingredients and adds smooth, rich undertones.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, complex flavor and helps thicken the pesto mixture.

• Heavy Cream, Cream Cheese: Create a luxurious, smooth base that makes the sauce incredibly rich and velvety.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing the overall flavor of the dish.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright, fresh garnish with a pop of color and light herbal note.

How To Cook Creamy Pesto Rigatoni Perfectly

Step 1: Boil Water Like a Pro

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Bring the water to a rolling boil and sprinkle in a generous pinch of salt to make your pasta sing with flavor.

Step 2: Cook Pasta to Perfection

Slide the rigatoni into the bubbling water. Let it dance around for 8-10 minutes, giving an occasional stir to keep the pasta from getting clingy. You’re aiming for that classic al dente texture.

Step 3: Whip Up Vibrant Pesto

• Fresh basil leaves
• Olive oil
• Pine nuts
• Garlic

Toss everything into a food processor and blend until you’ve got a smooth, bright green sauce that looks like pure summer.

Step 4: Cheese Up the Pesto

Sprinkle in the parmesan cheese and give a quick pulse. You want the cheese to mingle without losing its character.

Step 5: Create Dreamy Cream Base

In a separate pan, gently warm the heavy cream over medium heat. Stir softly to keep it from burning.

Step 6: Smooth Out the Cream

Whisk cream cheese into the warm cream until it transforms into a silky, luxurious base that promises pure comfort.

Step 7: Prepare Pasta for Saucing

Drain your cooked rigatoni, but hold onto a half cup of that starchy pasta water. It’s your secret weapon for sauce magic.

Step 8: Marry Pesto and Cream

Pour the vibrant pesto into the cream mixture. Stir until you’ve got a harmonious, green-flecked sauce that screams deliciousness.

Step 9: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Gently fold the rigatoni into the creamy pesto. Use that reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency if needed, ensuring every pasta tube gets a perfect sauce coating.

Step 10: Season with Love

Sprinkle in salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust until it’s exactly how you want it.

Step 11: Garnish and Beautify

Transfer to serving dishes and shower with freshly chopped parsley. It adds a pop of color and a fresh herbal whisper.

Step 12: Serve Immediately

Bring the dish to the table right away. The pasta should be steaming, the sauce creamy, and the flavors singing in perfect harmony.

Best Tips For Creamy Pesto Rigatoni With Breadcrumbs

• Boost Pasta Texture: Cook rigatoni exactly 8-10 minutes to achieve perfect al dente consistency, ensuring a delightful tender yet firm bite.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Warm cream gently and whisk cream cheese slowly to create a smooth, silky base that won't curdle or break.
• Enhance Pesto Flavor: Toast pine nuts briefly before blending to intensify their nutty essence and elevate the overall pesto complexity.
• Adjust Sauce Consistency: Use reserved pasta water strategically to thin the sauce, helping it cling perfectly to each rigatoni tube without becoming too runny.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Taste and incrementally add salt and pepper, remembering parmesan cheese already provides saltiness to the dish.

Fun Spins On Creamy Pesto Rigatoni

• Sun-Dried Tomato Blast: Replace basil with sun-dried tomatoes in the pesto, adding roasted red peppers for intense Mediterranean flavors and a rich, tangy profile.
• Spinach Mediterranean: Swap basil for fresh spinach, incorporating feta cheese instead of parmesan to create a lighter, greener version with Greek-inspired notes.
• Roasted Garlic Revolution: Roast whole garlic bulbs before blending into pesto, developing deeper, mellower garlic undertones that complement the creamy sauce.
• Chicken Protein Power: Grill seasoned chicken breast strips and slice them over the pasta, adding lean protein and transforming the dish into a complete meal with extra texture and substance.

Perfect Matches For Creamy Pesto Rigatoni

• Crisp White Wine Harmony: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the rich, herbal pesto sauce and cut through the creamy texture.
• Fresh Mediterranean Salad Partner: Toss a light arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, lemon vinaigrette, and shaved parmesan to balance the pasta's decadent profile.
• Grilled Protein Sidekick: Add simple grilled chicken breast or seared shrimp to introduce lean protein that enhances the dish's complexity without overwhelming the delicate pesto cream.

How To Store Creamy Pesto Rigatoni Safely

• Store leftover Creamy Pesto Rigatoni in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the pasta's texture and flavor intact.
• Allow the pasta to cool completely to room temperature before transferring to storage containers to prevent condensation and soggy texture.
• Gently reheat in a skillet with a splash of cream or pasta water, stirring frequently to restore the sauce's creamy consistency and prevent drying out.
• Freeze the pasta in sealed freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, separating sauce and pasta if possible to maintain optimal texture when thawing.

Creamy Pesto Rigatoni Questions Answered

• What makes the pesto unique in this recipe?

The pesto is freshly made with basil, pine nuts, and garlic blended in a food processor, creating a vibrant green sauce that’s more flavorful and aromatic than store-bought versions.

• Can I substitute pine nuts if I'm allergic?

Yes, you can replace pine nuts with alternatives like walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds without compromising the overall texture and taste of the pesto.

• Why is it important to reserve pasta water?

Reserved pasta water contains starch that helps bind the sauce to the pasta, allowing you to adjust the sauce’s consistency and ensure perfect coating of the rigatoni.

Creamy Pesto Rigatoni Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Pesto lovers rejoice with this creamy pesto rigatoni that blends Italian herbs and parmesan into a luscious sauce coating al dente pasta. Smooth and rich flavors will transport dinner guests straight to a charming countryside kitchen where comfort meets culinary elegance.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 1 lb (454 g) rigatoni pasta
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water (reserved)

Pesto Sauce:

• 2 cups (480 ml) fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup (45 g) pine nuts
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, grated

Creamy Elements:

• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) cream cheese
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil, adding a generous pinch of salt for enhanced pasta flavor.
2. Add rigatoni to the boiling water and cook until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. While pasta cooks, combine basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor, blending until a smooth, vibrant green pesto forms.
4. Incorporate grated parmesan into the pesto mixture, pulsing briefly to integrate the cheese without over-processing.
5. In a separate saucepan, warm heavy cream over medium heat, stirring gently to prevent scorching.
6. Whisk cream cheese into the warm cream until completely smooth and integrated, creating a luxurious base.
7. Drain cooked pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
8. Pour the prepared pesto into the cream mixture, stirring to create a harmonious, verdant sauce.
9. Fold rigatoni into the creamy pesto sauce, using reserved pasta water to thin if needed and ensure even coating.
10. Season with salt and black pepper, tasting and adjusting seasoning as necessary.
11. Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and fresh herbaceous flavor.
12. Serve immediately while the pasta is hot and the sauce is creamy and vibrant.

Notes

• Use high-quality, fresh basil for the most aromatic and authentic pesto flavor, ensuring your sauce tastes bright and herbaceous.
• Toast pine nuts lightly before blending to enhance their nutty depth and release their natural oils, creating a more complex flavor profile.
• Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon for adjusting sauce consistency, helping the creamy pesto coat the rigatoni perfectly without becoming too thick or dry.
• Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, dietary-friendly alternatives that still maintain a luxurious, creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 720
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 61 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 39 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 13 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg