Pesto Mac & Cheese

This Pesto Mac & Cheese is a herby, creamy fusion of classic comfort and fresh flavor. Butter, garlic, and pesto form the base of a luscious sauce that’s enriched with heavy cream and layered with three cheeses—cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Finished with a splash of pasta water for the perfect texture and topped with more Parmesan, this dish is quick, easy, and loaded with cheesy basil goodness.

Author: These Carbs Don't Count

Category: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Difficulty: MEDIUM

Prep. Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 2 bowls

Calories: 1,743 kcal per serving

Ingredients

½ pound - pasta
4 tablespoon - unsalted butter
1 tablespoon - olive oil
2 cloves - garlic
¾ cup - pesto
1 ½ cup - heavy cream
⅛ - Salt
⅛ - Black pepper
½ teaspoon - garlic powder
½ teaspoon - onion powder
¼ teaspoon - paprika
1 cup - cheddar cheese
1 cup - mozzarella cheese
½ cup - Parmesan cheese
1 cup - reserved pasta water

Instructions

Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
In a skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Stir in pesto and cook for 1 minute. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
Add cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Stir until melted and sauce is creamy.
Add cooked pasta and mix to coat. Add pasta water a splash at a time until sauce reaches desired consistency.
Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan.