Creamy Pesto Pasta with Fava Beans
For the best creamy pesto pasta recipe with fresh fava beans, try this easy recipe that is only 4 ingredients & takes just 30 minutes. This Italian macaroni dish is lovely in spring when favas are fresh. The nutty fresh basil pesto is herby and the sauce is made without cream. It tastes gourmet but is so easy & simple - a great meatless weeknight dinner with protein.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces cavatappi pasta (about 284 grams)
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese
- 6 ounces pesto sauce jarred/store-bought premade or make your own fresh from scratch
- ½ cup fresh fava beans peeled & cooked
- shaved parmesan cheese optional for topping
Instructions
- Before cooking, bring the pesto and cream cheese to room temperature. This helps it melt and combine with the hot pasta later without it causing the dish to turn cold quickly.
- Prepare the fresh fava beans by shelling, blanching, & peeling. You can do this while the pasta is cooking to save time. Once the favas are ready, set aside.
- Bring a large stockpot of salted (½ tablespoon salt) water with to a boil over high heat on the stovetop. Once at a rolling boil, add the cavatappi pasta, stir, and turn it down to medium. Let the pasta cook until al dente - about 9-11 minutes.
- ** while pasta boils make fresh pesto if doing so
- Once the pasta is ready, reserve 2-3 tablespoons of the starchy pasta water and set aside. Turn off the stovetop. Drain the pasta in a colander and return the pasta to the same pot.
- Immediately add a splash of the pasta water, the pesto sauce & the cream cheese cut into about 8 smaller chunks. Using a spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold the 3 ingredients together. Add a bit more pasta water if needed to thin out the sauce.
- Add the cooked fava beans and stir gently to combine. ** if adding other ingredients from the variations list above, add them now.
- Serve immediately by spooning it into 4 pasta bowls. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Top with shaved parmesan if desired.
Notes
the nutritional information will vary based on the type of pasta and pesto sauce used but here is an estimate for this recipe & 4 servings.
Nutrition
Calories: 649kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 16gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 581mgPotassium: 290mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1622IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 146mgIron: 2mg
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