Shrimp Marsala Pasta
This shrimp marsala pasta is rich, savory, and packed with restaurant-quality flavor. Tender shrimp, mushrooms, and a creamy marsala sauce come together for a comforting pasta dinner.
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PastaSalad
Easy Rotini Pesto Pasta
This rotini pesto pasta is simple, fresh, and packed with flavor.
This recipe is all about ease and flexibility. By utilizing convenient frozen pesto cubes or your favorite jarred prepared pesto, things stay incredibly fast while still delivering bold, aromatic herb flavor. Combined with a burst of sweet cherry tomatoes and our Fiber Gourmet Light Rotini, you get a beautiful, classic Italian profile packed with fiber and a fraction of the traditional calorie load.
Ingredients
1 box Fiber Gourmet Light Rotini
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3 to 4 frozen pesto cubes (or 1/3 cup of your favorite prepared jarred pesto)
1-2 tablespoons high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Salt, to taste
Optional for serving: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese or fresh basil leaves
Quick Tips
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Save your pasta water: Before draining your rotini, scoop out about a half-cup of the starchy cooking water. Adding a tiny splash of this water to the pesto creates a silky, smooth sauce that clings flawlessly to the pasta spirals.
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Soften frozen cubes: If you are using homemade frozen pesto cubes, place them in your serving bowl ahead of time to soften slightly, or let the residual heat of the hot, freshly drained pasta melt them naturally.
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Adjust pesto to taste: Pesto flavor concentrations can vary wildly depending on the brand. Start with a smaller amount, toss the noodles, and add more as desired until it matches your personal taste preference.
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Don't cook the pesto: Pesto contains fresh basil which turns brown and loses its vibrant aroma if exposed to direct, intense stove heat. Always toss the pesto with the pasta off the heat just before serving.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
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A vibrant, satisfying, and comforting meal ready in under 15 minutes
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Light Rotini cuts traditional noodle calories in half while multiplying the fiber
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Only requires a few simple pantry and fridge staples
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Bold, aromatic flavor from fresh garlic, basil, and olive oil notes
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Works wonderfully as a hot dinner or as a chilled lunch option
How To Make Rotini Pesto Pasta
1
Cook the Pasta Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the Fiber Gourmet Light Rotini according to the package instructions until it reaches a perfect al dente texture. Right before draining, carefully scoop out a splash of the starchy pasta water and set it aside.
2
Soften the Pesto While the pasta is cooking, if you are using frozen pesto cubes, let them sit at room temperature to soften slightly, or place them directly into the bottom of your large pasta serving bowl.
3
Toss and Combine Drain the hot rotini pasta and transfer it immediately into the serving bowl with the pesto and halved cherry tomatoes. The heat from the fresh noodles will melt the pesto beautifully. Drizzle a tablespoon of high-quality olive oil over the top and add a pinch of salt to taste.
4
Emulsify and Serve Gently stir everything together until every spiral of rotini is evenly coated. If the sauce feels a bit tight, stir in a tablespoon or two of your reserved warm pasta water to make it instantly velvety. Top with fresh herbs or freshly grated Parmesan if desired, and serve immediately!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a protein to this pesto pasta?
Absolutely! This dish makes a fantastic base for all kinds of clean protein. It pairs beautifully with sliced grilled chicken breast, sautéed shrimp, shredded rotisserie chicken, or even white cannellini beans for a plant-based boost.
Can this be eaten cold as a salad?
Yes, it makes an incredible cold pasta salad! If serving cold, rinse the cooked rotini with cool water first, toss it with the pesto and tomatoes, and let it chill in the fridge for an hour before enjoying.
Can I use different vegetables instead of cherry tomatoes?
Definitely. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand. Sautéed zucchini slices, steamed broccoli florets, baby spinach leaves, or roasted red peppers all taste fantastic when paired with a fresh pesto sauce.
A Better-For-You Twist
A Quick and Flavorful Pasta Option
Traditional pesto pasta can be incredibly calorie-dense due to the heavy volume of nuts, oils, cheeses, and standard refined white flour noodles. This recipe flips the script by focusing on balance.
By grounding the meal with Fiber Gourmet Light Rotini, you instantly cut the pasta calories in half and introduce an abundance of gut-friendly dietary fiber. This allows the rich, bold flavors of the olive oil and basil pesto to shine through beautifully, giving you a deeply satisfying and energetic meal that won't leave you feeling weighed down.
MORE ROTINI PASTA RECIPES
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Turn your favorite rotini into easy, flavorful meals. High-fiber, satisfying pasta recipes you can make any night of the week.
Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
If you’re looking for a hearty, flavor-packed pasta that still fits into a balanced lifestyle, this sausage and broccoli pasta made with Fiber Gourmet Rotini pasta is about to become a staple. It’s savory, satisfying, and comes together with simple ingredients that deliver big flavor.
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