Baked Pesto Pasta
Mar 24, 2015, Updated Jan 02, 2018
Baked Pesto Pasta is a quick recipe that comes together in minutes and is full of flavors!
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Hello guys, sorry for missing in action for the last few days. I went on a mini vacation and I had planned to schedule my posts while I was away but you know sometimes there are just too many things on your platter especially at the last minute and so I was not able to do that. I carried my laptop along with me thinking that I would update from there but unfortunately the house I stayed in had no internet. I guess sometimes it’s good to take a little break! 🙂
Anyway I’m back now with a pasta recipe. You remember when I posted this, so I used that sauce to make this baked pesto pasta. I first had baked pesto pasta it in Scotland where one of my friends made it for me. Since then I have been meaning to make it but somehow whenever I make pesto sauce I always end up using it on my sandwich or making a simple pasta but this time around I was determined to bake it.
The version that my friend made had tons of cheese in it. This recipe has cheese too but it isn’t overloaded with it. Because the pesto sauce already has cheese in it, the pasta was cheesy enough for me at least. If you are a fan of cheese then you might want to add more! This pasta will work well any pesto sauce. Since I had spinach pesto on hand I used it in this recipe but the traditional basil pesto would taste just as good. Pesto is made using so many green things so you can use kale pesto, coriander pesto etc. in this recipe.
The dish is ready in literally few minutes if you already have the pesto sauce in your refrigerator. Just toss everything together and bake till cheese is all melted. We all love pasta especially when we are looking to cook something quick and it can’t get easier than this. Do give this baked pesto pasta a try and let me know how it turned out for you guys!
Method
First boil the pasta according to instructions on the package, drain the water.
Immediately add in the prepared pesto sauce.
Also add cherry tomatoes and mix till well combined.
Add water and mix. Transfer pasta to a 8 x 8 square dish.
Sprinkle grated cheese on top of the pasta [any cheese that you like].
Bake at 400 F degrees for 10 minutes or till cheese is melted.
Eat immediately. Leftovers taste great as well!
* Add as much cheese as you want. Also I used a blend of 3 cheese but you can use whatever you prefer.
* I really think onions, bell pepper would taste great in this recipe, even mushrooms so you can add in these veggies too!
Recipe adapted from Pinch Of Yum.
Baked Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- ½ lb pasta use one that you like
- 3/4 cup pesto [basil or spinach or any pesto of choice]
- ¼ cup water
- ⅓ cup cheese grated of your choice
- ½ pint cherry tomatoes cut into halves
Instructions
- First boil the pasta according to instructions on the package, drain the water.
- Immediately add in the prepared pesto sauce.
- Also add cherry tomatoes and mix till well combined.
- Add water and mix. Transfer pasta to a 8 x 8 square dish.
- Sprinkle grated cheese on top of the pasta [any cheese that you like].
- Bake at 400 F degrees for 10 minutes or till cheese is melted.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Baked Pesto Pasta
This is so perfectly green and creamy! I am really loving it, Manali! You use color in your dishes better than anyone!
Aww thanks Mir! 🙂
Definitely one of my favorite quick meals! Loving this pesto pasta, Manali!!
Thanks Annie!
Manali this looks insane!!!! I love pesto pasta.. i love the idea of baking it in the oven for a little bit.. probably so gooey and cheesy. Love it.
Thanks Nisha! 🙂 Yes baking makes it more cheesy!
Yummy! Now I’m starved!
God bless,
XO, Claire
http://www.littlemissfashionqueen.blogspot.com
Thanks Claire!
I hope you enjoyed your mini vacation! I love pesto and pasta, combining them sounds incredible!
Thanks Danielle! Yes I had a good time!
I hope you enjoyed your vacation- it’s always good to unplug for a little while! For selfish reasons, I’m glad you’re back because this pasta looks like perfection to me!
Thanks Sonali, the vacation was fun! 🙂
stunning dish!
Thank you!
I am glad you got a break Manali. We all need time to relax and take our eyes off this darn computer screen! 😉 This pasta look AMAZING! I need to make it asap! Pinned! 😉
lol I agree, eyes definitely need some rest! Thanks Cyndi!
It’s definitely good to take a break, Manali! There is no need to apologize. 😉 This pasta looks DELICIOUS! Love that it’s baked! Pinning!
Thanks Justine!
Manali, it is okay to take a break, once in a while 🙂 I always take my laptop when we go for mini vacations, but for the record, I have never opened it, ever!! It always comes the way it went, untouched, unopened…. lol! PS: I love basked pastas, and this pesto pasta looking delicious! pinning!
Thanks Savita! I know I always take my laptop with me, but seriously sometimes we should just disconnect from the world!
This pasta dish just screams spring! Love all the flavors. Hope you had a nice little vacation : )
Thanks Natalie, I had a great time 🙂
Mini vacations are always great. I sort of had one last week. It was more of a staycation though. I stayed home and didn’t do a thing! Love every minute of it. This pasta is so creative. I love pesto with pasta but have never baked it. Can’t wait to try it!
I think that’s the best kind of vacation where you simply do NOTHING! Thanks Jen!
I love pesto in my pasta salad!!!! and good for you. . glad you got a forced vacation/break. . I’m in Dallas this week for spring break with my kids at my parent’s house and I was a crazed woman before we have to leave last week. . didn’t finish everything. . and will have to catch up a bit then I’m home. . but trying to just enjoy the week, this week!
See that’s the thing, there’s so much to do before you go on a vacation especially if you are a food blogger!! Have a great vacation in Dallas Alice! 🙂
I hope that you enjoyed your mini vacation! I don’t want to wait until dinner for this pesto pasta. I love how creamy it looks. Perfection on a plate!
Thanks Ashley, I had a great vacation! 🙂
You should have left your laptop at your home. I hope you enjoyed your trip. 🙂
Pesto pasta is just perfect for any day! And this baked version is absolutely amazing! Loved it! 🙂
haha I wanted to but then you know I thought I’ll do some work from there! thanks Anu!
I’d say that was a blessing in disguise that your house didn’t have internet, Manali! I’m sure you have a ton of emails to get through, but sometimes it’s nice to just disconnect…even if it isn’t entirely planned. Speaking of planning, I’m planning on having some of this yummy pesto pasta soon…it looks incredible! Pesto pasta is one of the best quick weeknight dinners ever!
David, I think I agree with you 🙂 It was good that I didn’t have internet else I would have been stuck to my laptop!
I absolutely love pesto! Best best best ever! I am going to use this recipe for my tomorrow’s dinner. Looks so yummy!
Thank you dear! Hope you like it!
You know what’s funny? I make spinach pesto more than basil pesto, probably because I always have spinach but I don’t always have basil! I’ve never baked my pesto pasta before, so this is inspiring me to do it next time! This looks so fresh and delicious.
Thanks Marcie! I know, even I don’t have basil in my refrigerator all the time, spinach yes!
Glad you enjoyed your mini vacation girl! This pesto and pasta combination is the bomb!! I am so making it!! 🙂
Thanks Ami!
Love the pretty pesto in this pasta! Looks so fresh and delicious especially with the cherry tomatoes! Hope you had a great vacation, Manali! A mini break is always nice 🙂
Thanks Kelly! yes I had a good time 🙂
I’m always down for a pasta recipe Manali – even if I have to wait for it. And girl…you work SO hard on this blog…you definitely needed some down time, so I hope you completely enjoyed it! You deserve the R&R! xoxo
Aww thanks Kristi, you are so sweet!! xoxo
I love pesto on pasta, but I’ve never baked it before. I’ll have to try that soon. This looks delicious with the cherry tomatoes!
Thanks Stacey!
Pesto is my favorite sauce! This looks delicious, Manali! A perfect comfort food meal!
Thanks Gayle!
I hope you had a great vacation Manali! I’ve been pretty slow lately, due to the weather warming up and me being lazier! Love this pesto pasta, fresh and light, need to try it!
The vacation was fantastic! Thanks Mira! 🙂
Interesting that this is baked. I love pesto pasta – it’s our go to meal when we are short on time.
I love pesto pasta too Dannii!! 🙂