This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy
Pistachio Cream Pasta – a super simple Sicilian pasta dish that you can make in minutes. So comforting, lots of great flavor, rich, creamy, and delicious.
I first discovered this recipe almost 12 years ago when I started blogging. My family is a huge fan of pistachios, but I usually only think to use them in desserts like this Pistachio Ice Cream.
After quite a few years I am giving this recipe a little boost and am bringing it back. The original recipe wasn’t nearly as good, so I tweaked it quite a bit to make it absolutely delicious. Plus it is so darn easy, you can make it on repeat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Meat Free. Whether you are vegetarian or actively trying to eat less meat this is the perfect recipe. I am all for meat-free, but it can’t be something that is trying to pretend it is meat. This is rich, creamy, and delicious and the nuts give it texture and protein and you won’t even realize there isn’t any meat.
- Super easy – this pasta dish is ready in no time with just a few ingredients. If you can buy already shelled pistachios that is half the battle. The pistachios just simmer in the cream to flavor it while the pasta cooks.
- Simple ingredients – this is a traditional Sicilian recipe, but you don’t have any hard to find ingredients. Just 7 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) and the pistachios are the one thing you might not have in your pantry already.
What You’ll Need
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
- Pasta – I like to use a short cut pasta like bowtie, penne, rotini or rigatoni. You could use spaghetti, but I don’t think it works quite as well with the sauce.
- Shelled Pistachios – roasted but unsalted are the best. If you can only find salted, just cut back on the salt in the recipe.
- Onion
- Olive Oil
- Heavy Cream
- Milk
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Salt & Pepper
How To Make Pistachio Cream Pasta
- Grind Nuts. Add the pistachios to a food processor and grind to a coarse texture. You can also chop by hand if you want bigger pieces.
- Cook Pasta. Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Saute Veggies. Meanwhile in a large skillet heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until they are soft. Add about 3/4 of the ground pistachios to the pan and stir to coat in the oil. Add additional oil if necessary so the pistachios are well coated.
- Make Sauce. Pour in the heavy cream and milk. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer this simmers the more the pistachios infuse the cream and flavor the sauce. So don’t skip or rush this step.
- Season. Season with the crushed red pepper, salt and pepper.
- Toss and Serve. Toss the sauce with the cooked pasta and serve with Parmesan cheese and the remaining pistachios.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- I like to use both milk and heavy cream so you get the rich and creamy texture and flavor from the heavy cream, but it isn’t over done. You can definitely use all heavy cream if you want. I just like to cut down on the fat and calories a little.
- Add meat! I have added chopped, cooked bacon to this and it was incredible! But you could also add grilled chicken breast or even shrimp to this.
- Use other nuts! Chopped nuts and pasta go really well together, so if pistachios aren’t your favorite try the same recipe with something else.
- Want it a little cheesy? Stir in 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese in with the sauce. You can also add Parmesan cheese on top when you serve.
What To Serve With Pistachio Cream Pasta
Just like most pasta dishes you can serve with Olive Garden Breadsticks or a Caesar Salad. But here are a few other ideas we like as well.
Storage
If you have leftovers this will last in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Just like any creamy pasta, it will not reheat and be quite the same as the first time. You can add just a splash of cream when you reheat to loosen the sauce and this will help bring it together.
More Delicious Pasta Recipes
Pistachio Cream Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 oz short cut pasta
- 3/4 cup shelled pistachios
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons olive oi
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add the pistachios to a food processor and grind to a coarse texture. You can also chop by hand if you want bigger pieces.3/4 cup shelled pistachios
- Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions.12 oz short cut pasta
- Meanwhile in a large skillet heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until they are soft.1/2 cup onion, 2 Tablespoons olive oi
- Add about 3/4 of the ground pistachios to the pan and stir to coat in the oil. Add additional oil if necessary so the pistachios are well coated.
- Pour in the heavy cream and milk. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer this simmers the more the pistachios infuse the cream and flavor the sauce. So don't skip or rush this step.1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup milk
- Season with the crushed red pepper, salt and pepper.1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Toss the sauce with the cooked pasta and serve with Parmesan cheese and the remaining pistachios.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I created a fun group on Facebook,and I would love for you to join us! It’s a place where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so that you never miss a new recipe)!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS recipes YOU make!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
.
This has me intrigued. I love pistachio flavor and I cannot wait to try this!
Wow that sounds so interesting! I can’t wait to try pistachio with this recipe
This pasta sounds tasty and so fancy! Amazingly delicious!
This is a must try! Served this in our family gathering and everyone loved it!
This pasta sounds absolutely amazing! I love, LOVE the flavors! A must make!
I checked the comments and seems everyone here likes the idea but no comments of someone that actually made it. I made this dish tonight and I have to say if you can omit the onions just do it. Let the pistachios shine. The flavor the onions provide even with a smaller amount and properly cooked its too overpowering.