• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cravings of a Lunatic
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Stalk my cravings on social media:

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipe Index
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Stalk my cravings on social media:

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Dinner Recipes

    Penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

    Published: Dec 5, 2020 · Modified: Feb 5, 2022 by Kim Beaulieu · This post may contain affiliate links

    10.4K shares
    • 43
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Penne Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto is quick and easy to make and sure to be a hit with family and friends!

    Penne Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto served on a silver platter.

    Honestly, I love pasta. I mean absolutely, positively, completely love it.

    I know they say home is where the heart is. Quite frankly I think they should change that saying to "home is where the carbs are". At least for me.

    For me, there's nothing better for a gathering of friends and family than putting a family style dish of pasta on the table. Everyone can dig right in and help themselves. It's a great way to serve pasta, a little less formal and stuffy than some alternatives.

    We piled the pasta on an old silver platter and we just dug right into it. That's the way Italian food should be served if you ask me.

    Just to clarify, I use my food processor for making this pesto. What I like about using the food processor, as opposed to other techniques, is that it's easy to adjust the oil as you go.

    It's also a fast way to make pesto, not a lot of monkeying around when you use a food processor.

    When you combine the pesto with the cooked noodles remember that tossing is your best friend. You want to toss, then toss again, and toss some more.

    Then, when you think you're about done with the tossing, give it another toss just to be sure. This will ensure the noodles are evenly coated with pesto, or sauce if you happen to be using sauce instead.

    So toss, toss, then toss some more, toss again till you can't toss any more.  Then you're good to serve this up on platter.

    Penne Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto served on a silver platter.

    Ingredient Notes:

    • Pasta - Use dried penne or mini penne noodles.
    • Sun Dried Tomatoes - These are bought in jars and are packed in oil.
    • Garlic - Use fresh garlic if possible.
    • Spices - I used salt, white pepper, and sweet basil for this pasta. You can add oregano as well.
    • Cheese - Use good quality parmesan cheese.
    • Nuts - I used walnuts for the pesto.
    • Oil - Olive oil helps give the pesto an amazing texture.

    How to Make Penne Pasta with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto:

    1. First, fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add salt to the water.
    2. Then, add the dried pasta and cook for 1 minute less than the package recommends.
    3. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water for later.
    4. Meanwhile, add the sun-dried tomatoes, oil from the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, salt, white pepper, basil, half of the parmesan cheese, and walnuts to the food processor. Pulse till smooth. If it's too thick add more oil.
    5. Transfer the pesto to the skillet or non-stick pan and cook over medium heat. Add the cooked noodles. Toss or use a tongs to keep the pasta moving as it heats up.
    6. Next, add about half the pasta water to the skillet or non-stick pan and allow to cook until everything comes together. You can add the rest of the pasta water if you want to change the consistency of the pasta.
    7. Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl or tray.
    8. Grate more parmesan over top of the pasta.
    9. Serve!

    Sun Dried Tomato Pesto in a blue bowl on a wood board.

    More Dinner Recipes:

    • Chicken Enchilada Casserole
    • Easy Cheesy Pasta Bake with Sausage and Peppers
    • Greek Chicken Orzo Power Bowls
    • American Chop Suey
    • Saucy Mozzarella Chicken Bake
    • 30 Minutes Chicken Vegetable Skillet Pasta
    • One Pot Pasta with Sausage, Peppers and Apples
    • Easy Chili Cornbread Casserole

    Penne Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto served in a white bowl.

    Places to stalk Cravings of a Lunatic

    Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

    Instagram ~ YouTube ~ Kiss My Smoke

    Penne Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto served on a silver platter.
    Print Pin
    4.91 from 10 votes

    Penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

    This Penne Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto is quick and easy to make and sure to be a hit with family and friends!
    Course Dinner, Pasta
    Cuisine American
    Keyword penne, penne pasta with sun dried tomato pesto, sun dried tomato pesto
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 6
    Calories 448kcal

    Equipment

    • 4-Quart Saucepan
    • 10 inch Le Creuset Skillet

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb penne pasta
    • 10 oz sun-dried tomatoes in oil
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 1 pinch salt
    • 1 pinch white pepper
    • 2 tsp dried sweet basil you can use fresh
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese divided
    • ¼ cup walnuts
    • ¼ olive oil more or less depending how thick or thin you like your pesto
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Fill a large pot with water and place over medium-high heat on the stove. Bring the water to a boil. Add salt generously. Add pasta and cook for 1 minute less than the package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water in case you want to add it to the dish later. Set that aside.
    • While the pasta noodles are cooking you can toss your sun-dried tomatoes, the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes, the garlic, salt, white pepper, sweet basil, half of the parmesan cheese, and walnuts in a food processor. Pulse until smooth. If the mixture is still too thick add a touch of olive oil to start and pulse while adding the oil until you get the desired consistency you like. It's always best to start with a little, you can always add more but you can't take away. So go easy initially and add oil to taste if needed.
    • Transfer pesto to a large skillet or non-stick pan and heat on medium heat just before adding the cooked noodles. Then use a slotted spoon to lift out the noodles and transfer them to the large skillet or non-stick pan. Do not rinse the noodles.
    • Toss the pasta together in the skillet or non-stick pan. Start by adding about ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water and then toss the pasta again. If you need more pasta water to thicken the pasta you can add until you get the desired thickness you like. I added almost all of it to mine to thicken it.
    • Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl or tray.
    • Grate freshly grated parmesan over top.
    • Serve with a big old pasta loving smile!

    Notes

    Originally posted on June 10, 2014.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 448kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 271mg | Potassium: 943mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 673IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 2mg

    Penne Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto served on a silver platter.

    Thanks for visiting today!

    If you’re looking for more dinner recipes be sure to check out my recipe index. You can also find a lot more pasta recipes as well.

    Be sure to follow me on Pinterest while you’re here. I love pinning great recipes! Also, make sure you follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date with the blog.

    Toodles! xx

    Related Posts

    • Angel Hair Pasta with Shallots, Garlic, Broccoli & Lemon aka Farmers Market PastaAngel Hair Pasta with Shallots, Garlic, Broccoli & Lemon aka Farmers Market Pasta
    • Roasted Red Pepper PastaRoasted Red Pepper Pasta
    • A girl, a crock pot and a blow torch! Slow Cooker Lasagna SoupA girl, a crock pot and a blow torch! Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
    • Poggio Alloro Beef Ragu SaucePoggio Alloro Beef Ragu Sauce
    • Chicken Caesar Pasta: Guest Post by Generation Y FoodieChicken Caesar Pasta: Guest Post by Generation Y Foodie
    « Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
    Tortilla Pizzas with Roasted Red Peppers »
    10.4K shares
    • 43

    Never Miss a Bite!

    Subscribe for FREE recipes sent right to your inbox!

     

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anna (Hidden Ponies)

      June 11, 2014 at 10:23 am

      This is perfect comfort food OR company food - love this pasta, lady!

      Reply
    2. Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet

      June 11, 2014 at 10:37 am

      I have no problems shouting out that I love pasta either! My husband is italian so it is a must in our house! This looks wonderful!

      Reply
    3. Prash@YummilyYours

      June 11, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      That's a stunning plate of pasta!

      Reply
    4. Terra

      June 11, 2014 at 3:55 pm

      A sun-dried tomato pesto? I love pasta too, this sounds like a perfect pasta dish! Yum, Hugs, Terra

      Reply
    5. Rose | The Clean Dish

      June 11, 2014 at 8:26 pm

      That list of ingredients is like poetry to me. Wonderful. Thanks for the recipe!!

      Reply
    6. Matt

      June 11, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      bel piatto, sembra delizioso

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        June 11, 2014 at 10:30 pm

        Thanks Matt. I had to go google that. Ha.

        You are bringing Mellz to Orlando next month right?

        Reply
    7. Matt

      June 11, 2014 at 10:37 pm

      We're talking about going......

      Reply
    8. Lauren @ Healthy Delicious

      June 11, 2014 at 10:39 pm

      That pesto looks incredible!

      Reply
    9. Angie | Big Bear's Wife

      June 12, 2014 at 8:52 am

      I will be right beside you on that roof top screaming that I love carbs because I LOVE them! I could eat them every single day of my entire LIFE! haha Love the Pesto Pasta you've got here! I'll have to check out Aurora Importing!

      Reply
      • Aurora Importing

        June 12, 2014 at 4:14 pm

        Hello Angie! I Hope you like what you see when you check us out. Let me know if you have any questions for us 😉

        ~Andrés

        Reply
    10. Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog

      June 12, 2014 at 1:27 pm

      WOW! This looks absolutely amazing, I love learning about new companies and awesome products, thanks for sharing! I was at BlogHer as well but missed you, here's to meeting next time 🙂

      Reply
      • Aurora Importing

        June 12, 2014 at 4:13 pm

        Hello Phi!
        We love to discover new food bloggers! I think the only way to get Aurora products in Milwaukee is through the online store, so if you end up using Kim's discount code and trying any of our products please let us know what you think 🙂

        ~Andrés.

        Reply
    11. Maureen

      April 14, 2015 at 3:05 am

      This pasta is so inviting! Sun-dried-tomato-pesto is wonderfully flavorful! And I really love pasta which makes it even better.

      Reply
    12. barbara Cokes

      February 01, 2022 at 2:35 pm

      5 stars
      I love any type of pesto and this did not disappoint! Even my picky 12 year old loved it!

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        February 02, 2022 at 12:57 pm

        That makes me super happy. I have a picky one too.

        Reply
    13. Lindsay

      February 01, 2022 at 8:40 pm

      5 stars
      Great easy dinner! Quick to make for busy nights!

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        February 02, 2022 at 12:58 pm

        Thanks so much.

        Reply
    14. cathy

      February 02, 2022 at 9:52 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely loved how the sun dried tomatoes flavored this dish, so, so good!

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        February 02, 2022 at 12:58 pm

        Thank you so much. I used to hate sun dried tomatoes but now I love them.

        Reply
    15. Shannon Friedman

      March 07, 2022 at 2:23 pm

      5 stars
      I can't even tell you how many times I have made this. Just delicious!

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        March 08, 2022 at 1:26 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    16. Toni

      March 08, 2022 at 6:52 am

      5 stars
      Oh yes!! This was a really huge hit at my house! So good!

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        March 08, 2022 at 1:23 pm

        So happy to hear everyone liked it.

        Reply
    17. Wilhelmina

      March 08, 2022 at 7:26 pm

      5 stars
      This pasta was so darn good! I loved the flavor!

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        March 09, 2022 at 4:17 pm

        Thanks so much.

        Reply
    18. cathy

      March 10, 2022 at 10:59 am

      5 stars
      So in love with this dish, it turned out fabulous and flavorful!

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        March 15, 2022 at 2:06 pm

        Thanks so much.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Subscribe and Never Miss a Bite!

    Popular Recipes

    Top Sirloin Beef Roast being sliced on a grey counter.
    Close up photo of chicken and vegetable pasta in a blue cast iron skillet.
    overhead image of Greek chicken orzo power bowls on a white napkin
    The Best Brownies in the World are ooey, gooey, fudgy brownies that will become a family favourite. I rarely make any other brownie recipe because we love this one so much!

    Copyright © · Cravings of a Lunatic · Privacy