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.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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)
Cheese Mixture:
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp salt (divided)
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
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 810mg
- Fat: 46g
- Saturated Fat: 26g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 143mg
Keywords: Pesto Mac & Cheese, Creamy Macaroni and Cheese, Pasta Recipe, Comfort Food
