Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta (Easy Weeknight Dinner)
Pasta with sundried tomato pesto is one of my favorite easy dinners when I want something simple but packed with flavor. Made with pasta, sundried tomato pesto, and baby spinach, this recipe comes together in about 20 minutes and has a rich, savory flavor from the pesto balanced by fresh greens. It’s an easy weeknight meal that’s just as perfect for summer basil season as it is for those colder months when you’re craving brighter flavors.
I originally started making this pasta because I was making sundried tomato pesto on repeat during the summer. Once I had a batch in the fridge, this was the meal I found myself coming back to over and over again. The pesto is much thicker than traditional basil pesto, so I learned pretty quickly that adding some pasta cooking water creates the best sauce. I almost always add spinach or baby kale and use a chickpea or lentil pasta to make it more filling, which turns a simple bowl of pasta into a meal that actually keeps me satisfied.
If you love easy pesto pasta recipes, be sure to try my pesto shrimp orzo, pesto mushroom pasta, or artichoke pesto pasta. They’re all simple weeknight meals that come together with minimal effort and plenty of flavor.
Ingredients
- Sundried Tomato Pesto – The star of this recipe. I love using my homemade sundried tomato pesto because it’s rich, flavorful, and easy to make, but your favorite store-bought sundried tomato pesto will work just as well.
- Baby Spinach or Kale – Baby spinach or kale adds color and extra vegetables without much effort. Since the greens wilt right into the hot pasta, there’s no additional cooking required.
- Pasta – Use any pasta you enjoy, but I often reach for chickpea or lentil pasta to add more protein and make the meal a little more filling. They’re an easy way to turn this simple pasta dish into a more satisfying dinner.
Tips for success
- Serve it hot or cold. This pasta is delicious warm or as a pasta salad. If serving cold, add the spinach during the last 10 seconds of cooking, reserve the pasta water, then drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it quickly.
- Speed up the boiling process. The longest part of this recipe is waiting for the water to boil. If you have an electric kettle, bring part of the water to a boil there and add it to the pot to get dinner on the table faster.
- Know your pasta’s cooking time. Different pasta shapes and brands cook at different rates. Some lentil pastas are ready in as little as 5 minutes, while chickpea pasta often takes 8 to 9 minutes. Checking the package before you start can help make this recipe even quicker.
Easy Pasta with Sundried Tomato Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 cup sundried tomato pesto
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 cups baby spinach (or kale)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (if needed)
- 1 cup water from cooking liquid
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a large pot over high heat.
- Once boiling, cook the pasta according to package directions.8 oz pasta
- Right before draining, take 1 cup of the cooking liquid from the pot and reserve it for the sauce.1 cup water from cooking liquid
- Drain the pasta in a colander and return it to the hot pot (turn off the heat).
- Add the sun dried tomato pesto just made, and the spinach to the pasta.1 cup sundried tomato pesto, 2 cups baby spinach (or kale)
- Pour over 3/4 cup of the hot liquid that was reserved from cooking, trying to wilt the spinach. Stir well to incorporate the water (about 1 minute).1 cup water from cooking liquid
- Add up to 1/4 cup more cooking liquid depending on how you like your sauce.
Equipment
Recipe Notes
- Reserve the pasta water. Before draining the pasta, save at least 1 cup of the cooking water. The starches in the water help loosen the sundried tomato pesto and create a silky sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
- Adjust the consistency as needed. Sundried tomato pesto is much thicker than traditional pesto. Add pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Use a higher protein pasta if you want a more filling meal. Chickpea and lentil pasta add extra protein and fiber, making this simple pesto pasta more satisfying without adding additional ingredients or cooking steps.
Nutrition Information
Additions & Variations
Add More Protein
- Stir in cooked Italian chicken for an easy protein boost.
- Add chickpeas or white beans to make the meal more filling while keeping it vegetarian.
- Top with grilled shrimp if you already have some on hand.
Add More Flavor
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if you’re not dairy free.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Finish with fresh basil for even more pesto flavor.
