15 Minute Pesto Pasta [+ Video]

Pesto pasta is a fresh, flavor-packed dish made with al dente penne, homemade basil pesto, and a touch of garlic and parmesan. It’s quick to whip up, full of bright, herby goodness, and perfect for tossing together on a busy night. All you need is a few simple ingredients and 15 minutes – yes, really!

This pesto pasta is fresh, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to throw together. The homemade basil pesto is rich with garlic, parmesan, and pine nuts, and it clings perfectly to every bite of penne. We’ve been making it since our basil started taking over the garden, and it’s still a favorite. Tossed, stirred, and devoured in minutes – this dish never lets us down.

Fresh basil has a way of sneaking into just about everything we make during the warmer months. Whether it’s tucked into a cheesy pasta or layered into something heartier, the flavor is always a hit around our table. When the mood calls for something extra cozy, we’ll go for our 20-Minute Cheesy Pesto Pasta – it’s like this dish’s rich, melty cousin. Or if we’re feeling that casual backyard dinner vibe, a slice of Pesto Pepperoni and Sausage Grilled Pizza totally hits the spot. And if you haven’t tried our Creamy Chicken Pesto Lasagna, you’re seriously missing out!

Ingredients for Pesto Pasta

This pesto pasta is proof that simple really can be spectacular. Just grab a few fresh staples, give them a whirl in the food processor, and boom – pasta night perfection.

• Penne Pasta: The perfect pasta shape to catch all that gorgeous pesto sauce in every nook and cranny. Spaghetti or rotini work well too!
• Pine Nuts: Lightly toasted for that buttery, nutty flavor that makes pesto sing. If you don’t have these in the pantry, walnuts or almonds are a good backup.
• Garlic: Adds a bold, savory depth to the pesto. We’re using fresh cloves for that extra zing!
• Sweet Basil: The star of the show. Use fresh basil leaves, packed tightly for the best flavor. No dried stuff here!
• Olive Oil: Helps everything blend smoothly and adds that classic richness. Stick with extra virgin for the best taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is best – trust us. Adds saltiness and a creamy texture to the pesto.
• Sea Salt and Fresh Black Pepper: Just a pinch or two to bring everything into balance.

The measurements needed for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

This citrusy, savory, and fabulously gingery, garlicky Marinated Asian Salmon recipe makes the most flavorful salmon you’ll ever have. While you do have to plan a few hours ahead, it’s easy to make and well worth the small amount of prep you need to do in advance.

Marinated Asian Salmon

You can serve this salmon hot immediately after cooking, but it really shines when you cool it down and serve it flaked over greens for the ultimate salad. The longer marinating process gives the fish time to absorb the perfectly balanced marinade all the way through.

Because of how deeply the marinade penetrates the fish, it is still mega-flavorful even when cold! No boring fish here.

Asian Salmon Marinade

To make this Asian salmon, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• salmon fillets
• avocado oil
• white miso paste
• tamari
• rice wine vinegar
• limes
• lemons
• garlic
• ginger
• Sriracha
• Sambal Oelek or other chili garlic paste

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Full of toasted sesame flavor, tangy, and crisp-tender, sweet and savory pickled broccoli is unexpectedly wonderful. Much like bread and butter pickles in taste, these brined, thinly sliced broccoli stems are great on salads, sandwiches, and cheese boards.

Pickled Broccoli

Can you pickle broccoli? Oh, absolutely!

I know a lot of folks don’t know what to do with broccoli stems and they often get tossed into the garbage or compost, but I’m here to tell you that you need to pickle them! They bring so much oomph and pizzazz to your food day.

And they’re budget friendly, too. You can have your Oven Roasted Broccoli one night for dinner and pickle up the stems for later use in salads or snacking. Future you will be grateful – I can guarantee it!

Pickled Broccoli Stems

These quick pickled stems only require the following ingredients:

• broccoli stems
• sugar
• rice wine vinegar
• lime juice
• sesame oil
• garlic

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This Thai-flavors inspired Asian salad dressing uses lime, chili paste, toasted sesame, and other easy umami-packed ingredients to deliver big flavor! It’s so good, you’ll be looking for reasons to make more salad just to enjoy this vibrant dressing.

Asian Salad Dressing

It’s no secret that I’m crazy for salads. From Sweet Kale Vegetable Salad to Southwestern Steak Salad I’m all over them.

But today’s dressing is so very good, it’s almost drink-with-a-straw worthy. It’s got just a hint of heat to it, courtesy of the chili paste and -mercy- it is bursting with irresistible flavor.

If you’re anything like me, once you taste this, you’ll be hooked. I found myself dipping carrot and celery sticks in it just so I could keep tasting it. It’s also excellent drizzled on grilled or broiled fish.

Asian Salad Dressing Recipe

To make today’s Thai chili lime dressing, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• limes
• chili paste
• fish sauce*
• agave syrup
• garlic
• light soy sauce
• sunflower oil
• Sweet Sesame Dressing

Please note that the recipe calls for light soy sauce, not regular soy sauce. Light soy sauce is lower in sodium, but not in flavor. If you need to substitute regular soy sauce, just use the same amount specified and be aware it will be ever so slightly saltier.

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This tangy, subtle, umami delivering sweet sesame dressing is a chameleon in the kitchen. Whether you toss it with greens, drizzle it over roasted vegetables, use it as a marinade for meats, or as a base for more complex dressings, you’re going to want to have this on hand all the time.

Sesame Dressing

This Asian sesame dressing is seriously versatile. Poppyseed dressing gets all the love in the seedy dressing category, but I think this dressing should get more attention!

Because while poppyseed dressing is delightful on a salad, its usefulness ends there. This dressing, on the other hand, is just warming up with the salads where it is -admittedly- quite good.

Today’s sesame salad dressing can do it all! It’s a delightfully gentle marinade for fish, chicken, and pork, lending a subtle sweet yet tangy flavor, and a nutty umami that only sesame can provide.

It’s also the bees-knees drizzled over roasted or steamed asparagus, green beans, and potatoes. If you have a jar of this in the refrigerator, you’re able to deliver a gentle pop of flavor to so many things!

Sesame Dressing Recipe

To make today’s sesame dressing recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• agave syrup
• apple cider vinegar
• tamari sauce*
• sunflower oil
• toasted sesame oil

*Tamari sauce, while similar to soy sauce, has its own distinct flavor and characteristics. It is stronger in flavor, less salty, packs more umami, and is a little thicker than soy sauce. It is also often gluten-free, if that is a concern for you.

If you cannot find tamari sauce in your local store and don’t want to order it online, you can substitute soy sauce. Just