Name: Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium onion (finely diced); 2 cups heavy cream; 1 tbsp all-purpose flour; 8 oz macaroni (cooked al dente); 2 tbsp pesto sauce; Freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish); ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; ½ cup mozzarella cheese; 1 tbsp garlic powder; 1 ½ tsp salt (divided)

Jump to Recipe

If you’re looking for a dish that combines the comforting creaminess of classic mac and cheese with the vibrant, aromatic punch of basil pesto, you’re going to fall for this Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese Recipe. Each bite is perfectly cheesy, silky-smooth, and shot through with the fresh, herbal flavor of pesto. This recipe is made for days when you crave indulgence with a pop of color and taste, and it’s guaranteed to win you compliments at the dinner table.

Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese Recipe lies in its handful of simple, accessible ingredients. Each one is chosen to create a harmony of flavors, luscious textures, and an inviting visual appeal that begs you to dig in.

Olive oil: Use a good quality oil for a subtle, fruity richness and to help the onions cook evenly.
Onion: Finely diced onion adds gentle sweetness and savory depth to the creamy sauce.
Heavy cream: This is what gives the sauce its decadent, rich texture!
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for bold, nutty flavor and a little bit of tanginess that perfectly offsets the cream.
Mozzarella cheese: For that magical stretch and extra melty factor that everyone loves in mac and cheese.
All-purpose flour: Whisked into the sauce, it thickens without making things heavy.
Garlic powder: Brightens and deepens the overall flavor profile without overpowering the pesto.
Salt: Helps every ingredient shine and the whole dish come together.
Macaroni: Classic elbow shapes hold onto the creamy pesto sauce beautifully—cook them al dente for the best texture.
Pesto sauce: The star for fresh, herby aroma and a gorgeous burst of color.
Fresh parsley (optional): A sprinkle on top offers even more color and a fresh finish.

How to Make Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Onion

Begin by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in your diced onion and a teaspoon of salt, then cook for around 5 minutes. The onion should become soft and translucent, developing a sweet aroma and providing a savory base for the sauce.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Base

Pour in the heavy cream while stirring gently, then let it simmer for 5 minutes. This step thickens the cream a bit and allows all those beautiful onion flavors to infuse and meld together.

Step 3: Thicken the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together a tablespoon of flour with a few tablespoons of water until smooth. Gradually stir this slurry into the simmering sauce, cooking for another 5 minutes. You’ll notice the sauce becoming silkier and thickening up to that perfect mac and cheese consistency.

Step 4: Add the Cheeses

Lower the heat to avoid scorching, and sprinkle in the Parmesan, mozzarella, and garlic powder. Stir until the cheeses are fully melted into the sauce—watch as it transforms into a dreamy, stretchy, fragrant cheese sauce. A little sprinkle of fresh parsley here is optional but really lifts the flavor!

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Tip your cooked macaroni straight into the skillet, tossing to coat every nook and cranny in that lush, creamy sauce. Each macaroni piece should be well covered and glistening, promising big comforting flavor in every bite.

Step 6: Infuse with Pesto

Remove the skillet from the heat and swirl in your pesto. Mix just until it’s evenly distributed—the warmth of the sauce wakes up the pesto’s bright herbs, making every mouthful fragrant and colorful.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Spoon your Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese Recipe into bowls, garnish with more parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan, and serve hot. Each bowl is a cozy moment waiting to happen!

How to Serve Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese Recipe

Garnishes

Finish your Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese Recipe with a shower of freshly chopped parsley or a dusting of extra Parmesan. Toasted pine nuts or a swirl of extra pesto make the presentation truly special for dinner parties, too.

Side Dishes

This creamy pasta pairs beautifully with crisp green salads tossed in lemony vinaigrette or roasted veggies for color and crunch. Try it alongside simple grilled chicken for a heartier meal or with garlic bread to sop up every bit of saucy goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn this recipe into individual ramekins for an elegant touch, or serve in a large, rustic baking dish family-style. For a fun twist, divide into muffin tins to make portable mac and cheese bites for parties or lunchboxes!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pop any remaining Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop and meld, making the leftovers arguably even tastier!

Freezing

This dish freezes surprisingly well. Cool the mac and cheese completely, pack it into a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating as usual.

Reheating

To reheat, add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce and microwave in short bursts, stirring in between. You can also reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding extra pesto to refresh the flavor.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While elbow macaroni holds the sauce beautifully, shells, penne, or fusilli all work just as well. Choose your favorite or use what you have on hand.

What kind of pesto works best?

Classic basil pesto is perfect for the Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese Recipe, but sun-dried tomato or arugula pesto would add their own delicious twists. Homemade or good-quality store-bought both work beautifully.

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes! Use your go-to gluten-free pasta and swap the all-purpose flour for a neutral gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch to thicken the sauce.

Is there a way to make this lighter?

You can swap some or all of the heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk and use part-skim mozzarella. It won’t be quite as rich, but it’ll still hit the spot.

Can I add protein to this recipe?

Definitely! Stir in cooked, shredded chicken, crispy bacon bits, or cooked Italian sausage when you add the macaroni. For a vegetarian boost, add peas or wilted spinach with the pasta.

Final Thoughts

Truly, there are few dishes as comforting, colorful, and satisfying as this Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese Recipe. It’s rich without being heavy, impressively quick to make, and almost impossible to resist. Give it a try for your next cozy dinner and enjoy the burst of flavor that keeps everyone coming back for seconds!

Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 6 reviews

Author: Noah
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in a luxurious twist on a classic comfort food favorite with this Creamy Pesto Mac & Cheese recipe. Creamy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor, this dish is sure to satisfy any pasta lover.

Instructions

Sauté the Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and 1 teaspoon of salt, cooking for about 5 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
Make the Creamy Base: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring frequently, and let it simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon of flour with 3 tablespoons of water until smooth. Gradually stir this mixture into the sauce and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken further.
Add the Cheeses: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan, mozzarella, and garlic powder. Let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated. If desired, add a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for extra flavor.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the skillet, tossing to coat each piece in the creamy sauce.
Infuse with Pesto: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the pesto sauce until evenly mixed.
Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with more parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan, and serve immediately.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian