Penne with Creamy Walnut Sauce
Indulge in the rich and nutty flavors of Penne with Creamy Walnut Sauce, a quick and elegant pasta dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. This recipe combines al dente penne pasta with a velvety sauce made from toasted walnuts, garlic, and heavy cream, creating a luxurious and earthy flavor profile. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese adds a touch of umami, while fresh parsley provides a vibrant garnish. With just 10 minutes of prep time and a simple food processor technique, you'll have a restaurant-quality dish on the table in under 30 minutes. Perfectly balanced with a hint of olive oil and a splash of reserved pasta water, this creamy walnut pasta is a satisfying vegetarian delight that’s sure to impress.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 150 grams walnuts
- 2 pieces garlic cloves
- 200 milliliters heavy cream
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- 120 milliliters pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 120 milliliters of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
While the pasta is cooking, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a food processor, combine the toasted walnuts, garlic cloves, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Blend until the mixture is finely ground but slightly chunky.
With the food processor running, slowly pour in the heavy cream until the walnut mixture becomes a smooth, creamy sauce.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the walnut sauce and the reserved pasta cooking water. Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes to warm through and thicken slightly.
Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and combines with the sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or black pepper, if needed. Remove from heat.
Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
688 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 52.6 g | 67% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.7 g | 78% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 57 mg | 19% | |
| Sodium | 696 mg | 30% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 37.4 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.6 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.7 g | ||
| Protein | 16.4 g | 33% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 190 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 241 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
