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Creamy pesto pasta Calories
Energy-dense pasta dish with creamy pesto sauce
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 cup (medium) of Creamy pesto pasta (220 g) has 486 calories. That works out to 221 calories per 100 g. It contains 53 g of carbs, 15 g of protein, 23.5 g of fat and 4 g of fiber. Its 26.4 µg of Selenium covers 48% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 49 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Creamy pesto pasta Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 cup (medium) · 220 g
486
KCAL / 220G
Carbs
53g
· 19% DV
Protein
15g
· 30% DV
Fat
23.5g
· 30% DV
Fiber
4g
· 14% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 44% · Protein 12% · Fat 44%
Creamy pesto pasta nutrition facts table · 1 cup (medium) (220 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 486 kcal | |
| Total fat | 23.5 g | 30% |
| Saturated fat | 6.82 g | 34% |
| Trans fat | 0.18 g | |
| Sodium | 616 mg | 27% |
| Total carbohydrate | 53 g | 19% |
| Fiber | 4 g | 14% |
| Protein | 15 g | 30% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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How Many Calories in 1 Cup of Creamy pesto pasta?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (medium) | 220 g | 486 kcal |
| 1 ounce (small) | 28 g | 62 kcal |
| 1 piece (quarter) | 55 g | 122 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 221 kcal |
| 1 piece (half) | 110 g | 243 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 180 g | 398 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 250 g | 553 kcal |
| 1 cup (large) | 300 g | 663 kcal |
| 2 cup (double) | 440 g | 972 kcal |
Calculated from 221 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy pesto pasta
How do you make creamy pesto pasta?
To make creamy pesto pasta, cook the pasta and save a little pasta water. Warm the cream gently, stir in the pesto, then toss with the drained pasta. Add pasta water gradually if the sauce needs loosening.
What is in creamy pesto pasta?
Creamy pesto pasta usually contains pasta, pesto and cream. Traditional basil pesto includes basil, olive oil, garlic, cheese and pine nuts, though recipes vary; some use other nuts or add vegetables, chicken or extra cheese.
What pasta shape works best for creamy pesto pasta?
Short shapes such as penne, fusilli and rigatoni work especially well in creamy pesto pasta because their ridges and hollows hold the sauce. Long pasta such as linguine also works if you toss it thoroughly before serving.
Can you make creamy pesto pasta without heavy cream?
Yes, you can make creamy pesto pasta without heavy cream. Use milk for a lighter, thinner sauce, or stir pesto into a little pasta water and add a spoonful of soft cheese for extra body.
Why does the sauce split in creamy pesto pasta?
The sauce in creamy pesto pasta can split when it gets too hot; pesto’s oil and cheese may separate from the cream. Take the pan off the heat before stirring in the pesto, and loosen the sauce with pasta water.
What should you serve with creamy pesto pasta?
Serve creamy pesto pasta with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables or grilled chicken. A simple salad with lemon or vinegar adds freshness and balances the richness of the creamy sauce.
Can you add chicken to creamy pesto pasta?
Yes, chicken is a common addition to creamy pesto pasta. Cook the chicken separately until fully done, then stir it into the sauce near the end so its juices do not make the pasta watery.
Can you make creamy pesto pasta ahead of time?
You can prepare creamy pesto pasta ahead, but the sauce thickens as it sits. For the best texture, cook the pasta and make the sauce separately, then combine them shortly before serving with a splash of pasta water.
How long does creamy pesto pasta last in the fridge?
Creamy pesto pasta keeps in a covered container in the refrigerator for about three days. Refrigerate it promptly after cooking, and discard it if it develops an unusual smell or appearance.
How do you reheat creamy pesto pasta without drying it out?
Reheat creamy pesto pasta gently in a pan over low heat, stirring in a splash of milk or water. Avoid high heat, which can dry out the pasta and cause the creamy pesto sauce to separate.
Creamy pesto pasta Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
Vitamin K
52.8µg · 44% DV
Biotin
6.6µg · 22% DV
Vitamin A
171.6µg · 19% DV
B2
0.24mg · 18% DV
Minerals
Selenium
26µg · 47% DV
Phosphorus
260mg · 37% DV
Sodium
616mg · 27% DV
Manganese
0.53mg · 23% DV
Potassium ⭐
308mg · 9% DV
Creamy pesto pasta Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Creamy pesto pasta
To burn the 486 calories in 1 cup (medium) (220 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
What is Creamy pesto pasta?
Creamy pesto pasta brings cooked pasta together with pesto—usually made with basil, olive oil, cheese and nuts—and cream. It is an Italian-inspired combination rather than one fixed traditional recipe: the pesto gives the sauce its fragrant, savoury character, while cream makes it smooth and mellow. The sauce clings to the pasta, so each bite is rich and well coated.
It is commonly served as a lunch or dinner main, with a green salad or vegetables alongside; a little extra grated cheese is a familiar finishing touch. Pasta and cream make it an energy-dense dish, providing 221 kcal per 100 g. For a lighter plate, use less cream and add vegetables such as peas, spinach or courgette, while keeping the pesto for its distinctive flavour.
How Nutritious Is Creamy pesto pasta?
Nutrient density
Medium
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Satiety score
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
Is Creamy pesto pasta Processed?
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Does Creamy pesto pasta Contain Allergens?
Contains these allergens:
Which Diets Is Creamy pesto pasta Good For?
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Creamy pesto pasta Fat Profile
SATURATED
6.82g
MONOUNSATURATED
9.24g
POLYUNSATURATED
3.74g
Omega 6:3 ratio 11.8:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (11.8:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.