Pesto Mac & Cheese 🧀🌿🍝 Ultra Creamy, Brightly Herbed, and Comfort Food With a Green Upgrade

This is mac and cheese like you haven’t had it before — a luscious cheese sauce laced with fresh pesto, coating every nook of your favorite pasta.

It’s cheesy, garlicky, and herb-packed with just enough bite and brightness to keep you coming back for more. Weeknight fast, dinner party-worthy.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

For the pasta

• 12 oz elbow macaroni, shells, or cavatappi
• Salted water for boiling
• ½ cup reserved pasta water

For the cheese sauce

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk (whole preferred)
• 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella or fontina
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• ¼ tsp garlic powder or a small clove minced (optional)
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

For the pesto swirl

• ⅓ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• Optional: squeeze of lemon juice to brighten

To finish

• Extra Parmesan or pesto drizzle
• Optional: toasted breadcrumbs or pine nuts for crunch

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

Step 2: Make the roux
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes until golden and nutty.

Step 3: Build the cheese sauce
Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Simmer 3–4 minutes until thickened. Lower heat and stir in cheeses, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

Step 4: Add pesto and pasta
Stir pesto into the cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat, thinning with pasta water as needed to reach desired creaminess.

Step 5: Serve hot
Spoon into bowls and finish with more Parmesan, a swirl of pesto, or crunchy topping if desired.

Flavor Variations

• Add peas, spinach, or roasted zucchini for a green boost
• Stir in rotisserie chicken or cooked sausage for protein
• Use arugula or kale pesto for a peppery twist
• Mix in sun-dried tomatoes or olives for depth
• Bake it: top with breadcrumbs and broil until golden

Pro Tips

• Use a mix of melty and flavorful cheeses for best texture
• Don’t boil the cheese sauce — simmer gently to keep it smooth
• Taste the pesto before adding — some are saltier or oilier than others
• Add a squeeze of lemon or vinegar to balance richness if needed
• Stir pasta into the sauce while hot — it absorbs flavor better

Final Thoughts

Pesto Mac & Cheese is vibrant, creamy, and completely crave-worthy — a perfect mash-up of cozy and fresh that brings new life to classic comfort food. Whether served as a main or a show-stealing side, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Swirl it. Scoop it. Let the cheese and herbs shine. 🧀🌿🍝

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