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A vibrant and flavorful pasta dish that comes together in minutes. Chewy penne is tossed with bright basil pesto, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a perfect weeknight meal.
Cook the Pasta
Toast Pine Nuts
Sauté Aromatics
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A vibrant and flavorful pasta dish that comes together in minutes. Chewy penne is tossed with bright basil pesto, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a perfect weeknight meal.
This italian_american recipe takes 25 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 430.05 calories per serving with 12.81g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
Combine and Finish
Add grilled chicken strips, sautéed shrimp, or a can of drained chickpeas for a more substantial meal.
For a richer sauce, stir in 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream, mascarpone cheese, or cream cheese along with the pesto.
Toss in other vegetables like a few handfuls of fresh spinach (it will wilt in the heat), steamed broccoli florets, or roasted red peppers.
Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a bit of heat.
The olive oil and pine nuts in the pesto provide monounsaturated fats, which are known to support cardiovascular health by helping to reduce bad cholesterol levels.
Basil, garlic, and tomatoes are packed with antioxidants that help protect your body's cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Sun-dried tomatoes are a concentrated source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases.
A single serving of this Penne with Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomatoes contains approximately 650-750 calories, depending on the specific brands of pesto and pasta used.
This dish can be part of a balanced diet. It offers healthy monounsaturated fats from olive oil and pine nuts, and antioxidants from basil and tomatoes. However, it is calorie-dense and high in carbohydrates, so portion control is key.
Absolutely. Simply substitute the penne with your favorite gluten-free pasta. Cook according to the package instructions, and remember to reserve the starchy pasta water, which is just as important for gluten-free pasta sauces.
Grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or Italian sausage are excellent protein additions. For a vegetarian option, consider adding a can of chickpeas or white beans.
Yes, this sauce works well with many pasta shapes. Short, ridged pastas like fusilli, rigatoni, or rotini are great choices as they have nooks and crannies that trap the pesto sauce beautifully.