If you’re like me, you love pesto. But, you don’t always have the time or ingredients to make it from scratch. That’s where store-bought pesto comes in!
I always keep a jar of pesto in my fridge for those days when I’m craving something flavorful and easy. Here’s how to use store-bought pesto with pasta:
1. Start by cooking your pasta according to the package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat up the pesto in a small saucepan over low heat.
3. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the pan with the pesto.
4. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with pesto.
Serve immediately!
- Boil water in a pot and add pasta
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions
- Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the pot
- Add pesto from a jar to the pasta and stir until evenly mixed
- Serve with your favorite toppings, such as Parmesan cheese or crushed red pepper flakes
How to use Store-bought Pesto Sauce at its Best
How to Use Pesto on Pasta
Pesto is a delicious Italian sauce made from basil, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts. It’s traditionally used on pasta, but can also be used as a sandwich spread or dip. Here’s how to use pesto on pasta:
1. Start by cooking your pasta according to the package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, make the pesto sauce by blending all of the ingredients together in a food processor or blender.
3. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and then add it to a large bowl with the pesto sauce.
Toss to combine.
4. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!
Creamy Pesto Pasta Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 pound pasta
1/2 cup pesto
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta. Cook according to package instructions for al dente.
Drain the cooked pasta, then return it to the pot. Add the pesto, cream, Parmesan, salt, and pepper, and stir until everything is evenly mixed and coated. Serve warm.
What Meat Goes With Pesto Pasta
Pesto pasta is a quick and easy meal that can be made with just a few ingredients. All you need is some pasta, pesto, and your favorite meat. Here are a few ideas for what meat goes well with pesto pasta:
-Chicken: Chicken breast or thighs work well in this dish. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and cook it until it is cooked through. Add it to the pasta at the end.
-Beef: Ground beef or Italian sausage are both great options for this dish. Cook the beef or sausage until it is browned, then add it to the pasta along with the pesto sauce.
-Seafood: Shrimp, scallops, or lobster all go great with pesto pasta.
Cook the seafood of your choice until it is done, then add it to the pasta along with the sauce.
Pesto Pasta With Tomatoes
Pesto pasta is a classic Italian dish that is simple to make and can be made with ingredients that are typically found in most kitchens. This dish can be tailored to your liking by adding more or less of the pesto and tomatoes, as well as choosing your favorite type of pasta. I prefer penne pasta for this dish, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
To make this dish, start by cooking the pasta according to the package directions. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto sauce by combining basil leaves, olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and salt in a food processor or blender. Pulse until everything is combined and smooth.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and return it to the pot. Add in the prepared pesto sauce and diced tomatoes (I like using cherry tomatoes for this) and stir until everything is evenly mixed. Serve warm topped with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Enjoy!
Credit: www.recipetineats.com
Do You Add Pesto to Hot Or Cold Pasta?
If you’re wondering whether to add pesto to hot or cold pasta, the answer is both! Pesto is a versatile sauce that can be added to both hot and cold pasta dishes. If you’re adding pesto to hot pasta, simply stir it into the cooked noodles along with some of the cooking water.
This will help thin out the sauce and make it easier to coat the noodles. For cold pasta, mix the pesto with some olive oil and toss it with the cooked noodles. Then, refrigerate the dish for at least an hour so that the flavors can meld together.
How Much Pesto Should I Use in Pasta?
When it comes to pesto, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The amount you use will depend on your personal taste and the type of pasta you’re using. For a more traditional pasta dish, start with 1/2 cup of pesto and add more to taste.
If you’re looking for a lighter option, try using 1/4 cup of pesto. And if you want a really bold flavor, go for 1 cup of pesto. No matter how much pesto you use, be sure to add some extra virgin olive oil to your dish so the sauce doesn’t become too thick.
How Do You Eat Pasta With Pesto?
There are a few different ways that you can eat pasta with pesto. The most common way is to simply mix the pesto into the pasta, and then add whatever other ingredients you want. This could include vegetables, meat, or even just some Parmesan cheese.
Another option is to put the pesto on top of the pasta, and then add other ingredients on top of that. This allows you to really taste the flavor of the pesto, and also gives you a little bit more control over how much you’re eating. Finally, you could also make a dish where the pesto is mixed into the sauce, which would then be poured overtop of the pasta.
Whichever way you choose to eat it, enjoy!
Can I Use Pesto from the Jar?
Pesto is a sauce made from crushed basil leaves, olive oil, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. It is traditionally used as a condiment for pasta dishes. Pesto can also be used as a sandwich spread or dip.
Many store-bought pestos are made with sunflower oil or other vegetable oils, rather than olive oil. While this may make the pesto cheaper to produce, it also means that the flavor and nutritional quality of the sauce is lower. For the best flavor and nutrition, look for pestos made with extra virgin olive oil.
When it comes to storage, homemade pesto can be kept in the fridge for up to a week. However, store-bought pesto only has a shelf life of 3-4 days once opened. If you want your store-bought pesto to last longer, transfer it into an airtight container and keep it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Conclusion
If you’re in a pinch and don’t have time to make your own pesto, don’t worry! You can still enjoy delicious pesto pasta by using jarred pesto. Here’s how:
1. Start by boiling your pasta according to the package directions.
2. While the pasta is boiling, heat up the jarred pesto in a saucepan over low heat.
3. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the saucepan with the pesto.
Toss to combine.
4. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and enjoy!