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Creamy Pesto Pasta

5 from 1 vote

Posted by Ashley

on Oct 10, 2024

This 1 Pan Creamy Pesto Pasta is a perfect meal for busy families, combining tender chicken, delicious pasta, and a rich, creamy pesto sauce. It’s all made in one pan, saving time on cleanup while providing a balanced, nutritious meal for toddlers and the whole family.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 4 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 lb penne pasta
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup Gotham Greens pesto
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Chicken:
   • Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add diced chicken breast and cook until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes each side.
2. Add Garlic:
   • Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Cook the Pasta:
   • Add the penne pasta and chicken broth directly into the pan with the chicken. Bring it to a simmer and cover. Let the pasta cook for about 10-12 minutes or until tender.
4. Make it Creamy:
   • Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low and stir in the milk, cream cheese, pesto, and parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until everything is well combined and the sauce is creamy.
5. Serve:
   • Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Let the dish cool before serving it to your toddler. You can cut the pasta into smaller bites if needed.

Why This Recipe is Great for Toddlers and Families:

1. One Pan = Less Cleanup: Busy parents will appreciate the simplicity of this one-pan dish, which means fewer pots and pans to clean.
2. Nutritious and Delicious: With protein from the chicken, healthy fats from the pesto, and calcium from the cream cheese and parmesan, this meal offers a great balance of nutrients for growing toddlers.
3. Creamy, but Not Overpowering: The creamy pesto sauce is mild enough for toddlers.
4. Family-Friendly: This is not just for toddlers—everyone in the family will love this flavorful, creamy pasta. The ingredients are simple and can be adjusted to suit your family’s preferences.

Storage Instructions:

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk to maintain creaminess.
• Freezer: You can freeze this dish for up to 2 months. Allow it to cool completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container. Reheat on the stove, stirring in a little milk or broth to bring back the creamy texture.

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5 from 1 vote

1 Pan Creamy Pesto Pasta

Servings: 0

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Ingredients 

• ▢ 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• ▢ 2 tsp olive oil
• ▢ 4 tsp minced garlic
• ▢ 1/2 lb penne pasta
• ▢ 1.5 cup chicken broth
• ▢ 1 cup milk
• ▢ 4 oz cream cheese
• ▢ 1/2 cup pesto
• ▢ 1/4 cup parmesan

Instructions 

• Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add diced chicken breast and cook until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the penne pasta and chicken broth directly into the pan with the chicken. Bring it to a simmer and cover. Let the pasta cook for about 10-12 minutes or until tender.
• Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low and stir in the milk, cream cheese, pesto, and parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until everything is well combined and the sauce is creamy.
• Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Let the dish cool before serving it to your toddler. You can cut the pasta into smaller bites if needed.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

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