Simple Pesto
Pasta
By Kids
Cooking Activities
A
quick, green pasta dish made with basil pesto and
noodles. This kid-friendly recipe is perfect for an
easy dinner and makes a fun green-themed meal for
St. Patrick’s Day—even though it’s Italian-inspired!
- Category:
Main Dish
- Cook Method:
Boil
- Skill Level:
Beginner
Prep: 5 minutes | Cook:
10 minutes | Yield: 4
servings
Ingredients
- ¼ cup prepared pesto
sauce
- 1 package linguine
or spaghetti noodles
- Fresh Parmesan
cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta
according to package directions until tender.
- Drain pasta
well and return it to the pot.
- Add pesto sauce
and toss gently until noodles are evenly coated.
- Serve warm
topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if
desired.
Kid-Friendly Tips
- Kids can help toss the pasta with pesto using
tongs
- Start with less pesto and add more to taste
- Explain how basil gives pesto its green color
Easy Variations
- Add cherry tomatoes or peas for extra color
- Mix in cooked chicken or shrimp for protein
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta if needed
Notes
Pesto can be strong for some
kids—try mixing pesto with a little butter or
cream to mellow the flavor if needed.