Price: $2.97
(as of Aug 11, 2026 03:14:53 UTC – Details)
Kraft Mac Parmesan Cheese Pesto pasta Recipe
Craving creamy, cheesy Parmesan Cheese Pesto pasta comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen? This Kraft Parmesan Pesto Mac and Cheese Recipe is an easy way to turn a convenient boxed dinner into a restaurant-style meal at home.
Kraft Restaurant Edition Parmesan Pesto Flavored Mac and Cheese combines tender gemelli pasta with a creamy cheese sauce, Parmesan flavor, and an herbaceous pesto-inspired taste. The result is a comforting bowl of macaroni and cheese that feels a little more special than traditional boxed mac and cheese.
The recipe is simple enough for a busy weeknight but flavorful enough to serve as a side dish for family dinners, casual gatherings, or a cozy meal at home.
With a few basic ingredients such as butter and milk, you can prepare a smooth and creamy sauce that coats every twist of the gemelli pasta. You can also customize the finished dish with olive oil, extra Parmesan, fresh herbs, vegetables, or your favorite protein.
Creamy Parmesan Cheese Pesto pasta Recipe
This Parmesan Cheese Pesto pasta recipe is a quick and delicious comfort food made with tender pasta, creamy sauce, Parmesan cheese, and flavorful pesto. Cook your favorite pasta until tender, then toss it with a smooth mixture of pesto, cream or milk, butter, and Parmesan. Stir until the sauce coats every piece of pasta, then finish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan. It’s an easy weeknight meal that can be served on its own or paired with grilled chicken, shrimp, or roasted vegetables.
Kraft Mac Parmesan Cheese Pesto pasta Ingredients
For this easy pesto pasta, you’ll need a few simple ingredients: your favorite pasta, basil pesto, heavy cream or milk, butter, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and black pepper. You can also add fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables for extra flavor and texture. These ingredients come together to create a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful pasta dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Parmesan Pesto Mac and Cheese
- How to Make It Extra Creamy
- Recipe Variations
- What to Serve With Mac and Cheese
- Storage and Reheating
- Helpful Cooking Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are plenty of reasons to add this Parmesan pesto mac and cheese to your weeknight dinner rotation.
Quick and Easy
This recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and doesn’t involve complicated cooking techniques. Once the pasta is tender, you simply drain it and combine it with the butter, milk, and cheese sauce mix.
Creamy and Cheesy
Butter and milk help create a smooth, creamy texture while the cheese sauce provides the familiar cheesy flavor you expect from Kraft mac and cheese.
A Restaurant-Inspired Flavor
The Parmesan and pesto flavors give this mac and cheese an herbaceous twist. It’s a delicious option when you want something familiar but slightly different from classic cheddar-style macaroni and cheese.
Gemelli Pasta Holds the Sauce
Instead of traditional elbow macaroni, the Restaurant Edition uses gemelli pasta. Its twisted shape provides plenty of surface area for the creamy sauce to cling to.
Easy to Customize
You can enjoy the recipe exactly as prepared or add your own ingredients. Fresh basil, roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, shrimp, additional Parmesan, or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can turn it into a more substantial meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For one box of Kraft Restaurant Edition Parmesan Pesto Flavored Mac and Cheese, gather the following:
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Kraft Restaurant Edition Parmesan Pesto Mac and Cheese | 1 box (9.5 oz) |
| Water | 8 cups |
| Butter | As directed on the package |
| Milk | As directed on the package |
| Extra virgin olive oil | Optional |
| Fresh Parmesan cheese | Optional |
| Fresh basil or parsley | Optional |
The boxed mac and cheese contains the gemelli pasta and cheese sauce mix, so you only need a few refrigerator and pantry staples to prepare it.
For the creamiest result, use the recommended amount of butter and milk from the package instructions.
How to Make Parmesan Cheese Pesto pasta Pesto
Follow these simple steps to prepare a creamy bowl of restaurant-style mac and cheese.
Step 1: Boil the Water
Pour 8 cups of water into a medium saucepan and bring it to a full boil over medium-high heat.
Using enough water gives the gemelli pasta plenty of room to cook evenly.
Step 2: Add the Gemelli Pasta
Once the water is boiling, carefully stir in the pasta from the box.
Reduce the heat as needed and allow the pasta to simmer for approximately 9 to 10 minutes, or until it reaches your preferred level of tenderness.
Stir occasionally while the pasta cooks to prevent it from sticking together or settling on the bottom of the pan.
Step 3: Check the Pasta
Before draining, taste a piece of pasta to make sure it has reached the desired texture.
For a classic creamy mac and cheese, the pasta should be tender without becoming overly soft.
Step 4: Drain the Pasta
Drain the cooked gemelli pasta thoroughly.
Do not rinse the pasta.
Rinsing removes some of the starch from the surface of the pasta, which can make it more difficult for the cheese sauce to cling properly.
Return the drained pasta to the saucepan.
Step 5: Add Butter and Milk
Add the recommended amount of butter and milk to the warm pasta.
The residual heat from the pasta helps the butter melt and makes it easier to combine the ingredients into a creamy sauce.
Step 6: Add the Cheese Sauce Mix
Sprinkle in the cheese sauce mix from the box.
Stir everything together continuously until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth and coats the gemelli pasta evenly.
Make sure to scrape around the bottom and sides of the saucepan so that all of the cheese sauce mix is incorporated.
Step 7: Finish With Your Favorite Toppings
Your Parmesan pesto mac and cheese is now ready to serve.
For an extra chef-inspired finish, drizzle a small amount of extra virgin olive oil over the top.
You can also add freshly grated Parmesan, chopped basil, cracked black pepper, or fresh parsley.
How to Make It Extra Creamy
If you prefer exceptionally creamy mac and cheese, there are several easy tricks you can try.
First, don’t overcook the pasta. Pasta that is cooked until just tender maintains a pleasant texture and won’t become mushy when combined with the sauce.
Second, add the butter and milk while the pasta is still hot. The warmth helps everything combine smoothly.
Third, stir thoroughly. Don’t simply mix the ingredients a few times and stop. Continue stirring until the cheese sauce completely coats the pasta.
Finally, serve the mac and cheese immediately. The sauce naturally becomes thicker as it cools.
If the finished mac and cheese becomes thicker than you prefer, a small splash of warm milk can help loosen the sauce.
Recipe Variations
One of the best things about mac and cheese is how easy it is to customize.
Garlic Parmesan Mac and Cheese
Add a small amount of sautéed garlic and finish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an extra savory flavor.
Vegetable Mac and Cheese
Stir in cooked broccoli, spinach, peas, roasted bell peppers, or chopped asparagus. Vegetables add color, texture, and extra variety to the dish.
Chicken Parmesan Pesto Mac and Cheese
Add sliced grilled or roasted chicken for a more filling dinner. The chicken pairs especially well with the pesto and Parmesan flavors.
Crispy Topping
For a crunchy contrast, transfer the prepared mac and cheese to an oven-safe dish, sprinkle breadcrumbs and Parmesan over the top, and briefly bake until the topping is golden.
Spicy Pesto Mac and Cheese
Add crushed red pepper flakes, freshly ground black pepper, or a small amount of your favorite hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Fresh Herb Version
Fresh basil is a natural complement to pesto-inspired flavors. Chop a few basil leaves and sprinkle them over the finished dish just before serving.
What to Serve With Mac and Cheese
This Parmesan pesto mac and cheese can be served as a main dish or a side.
For a complete family dinner, pair it with:
- Grilled chicken
- Roasted vegetables
- Green salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Grilled shrimp
- Roasted asparagus
- Garlic bread
- Fresh tomatoes
- Grilled or roasted vegetables
If you’re serving it as a side dish, it works particularly well alongside roasted meats or a simple salad.
For lunch, you can keep things simple and serve a bowl of mac and cheese with fresh fruit or vegetables.
Storage and Reheating
If you have leftovers, allow the mac and cheese to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator and use them within a safe timeframe appropriate for cooked pasta and dairy-based foods.
When reheating, the sauce may be thicker than it was when freshly prepared. Add a small splash of milk and stir while warming to help restore some of the creamy consistency.
For best texture, reheat only the portion you plan to eat rather than repeatedly reheating the entire batch.
Always use your judgment regarding food safety and discard leftovers that have been improperly stored or show signs of spoilage.
Helpful Cooking Tips
Don’t Rinse the Pasta
This is one of the most important steps. Drain the pasta without rinsing so the sauce can cling to the pasta more effectively.
Stir Occasionally
Stir the gemelli while it cooks to help prevent sticking and encourage even cooking.
Use the Recommended Butter and Milk
The butter and milk are important for achieving the intended creamy texture. Follow the amounts specified on the package.
Serve Immediately
Mac and cheese is at its creamiest when served hot and fresh.
Add Toppings at the End
Fresh basil, Parmesan, olive oil, and black pepper are best added after the sauce has been fully incorporated.
Taste Before Serving
Before adding additional salt or seasoning, taste the finished mac and cheese. The cheese sauce mix already contributes flavor, so additional seasoning may not be necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of pasta is used in Kraft Parmesan Pesto Mac and Cheese?
This Restaurant Edition variety uses gemelli pasta rather than traditional elbow macaroni. Gemelli has a twisted shape that works well with creamy sauces.
Can I use extra Parmesan cheese?
Yes. Freshly grated Parmesan can be sprinkled over the finished mac and cheese for additional Parmesan flavor.
Can I add pesto?
You can add a small spoonful of prepared pesto if you want a stronger pesto flavor. Start with a modest amount and adjust according to taste.
Can I make this mac and cheese a complete meal?
Absolutely. Add cooked chicken, shrimp, vegetables, or another protein to turn the side dish into a more substantial meal.
Why shouldn’t I rinse the pasta?
Rinsing removes surface starch from the cooked pasta. Leaving the pasta unrinsed helps the creamy cheese sauce adhere to the gemelli.
How many servings does one box make?
According to the product information, one 9.5-ounce box makes approximately 4 servings, depending on serving size.
Can I add olive oil?
Yes. The product preparation suggests an optional drizzle of extra virgin olive oil as a finishing touch. It can add a subtle richness and give the dish a more restaurant-inspired presentation.
Is this recipe good for a quick weeknight dinner?
Yes. The preparation is straightforward and requires only a few additional ingredients, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights, lunches, or family side dishes.
Easy Serving Idea
For a simple restaurant-style presentation, spoon the hot Parmesan pesto mac and cheese into a shallow bowl.
Top it with freshly grated Parmesan, a few chopped basil leaves, cracked black pepper, and a very light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Serve immediately while the sauce is warm and creamy.
The combination of twisted gemelli pasta, cheesy sauce, Parmesan flavor, and herbaceous pesto notes makes this a comforting meal that feels more elevated than ordinary boxed mac and cheese.
Final Thoughts
Kraft Mac Parmesan Cheese Pesto pasta Cheese is an easy way to bring a restaurant-inspired twist to a familiar comfort food. The gemelli pasta provides a fun alternative to traditional macaroni, while the Parmesan and pesto flavors give the creamy cheese sauce an herbaceous finish.
The basic preparation is incredibly simple: boil the pasta, drain it without rinsing, return it to the saucepan, and combine it with butter, milk, and the cheese sauce mix. From there, you can keep it simple or customize it with fresh herbs, vegetables, chicken, seafood, Parmesan, or a crunchy topping.
Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, an easy weeknight dinner, or a flavorful side dish, this Parmesan pesto mac and cheese is a convenient option that can be prepared in minutes.
Recipe at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Recipe | Parmesan Pesto Mac and Cheese |
| Cuisine | American-inspired comfort food |
| Preparation | Quick and easy |
| Pasta | Gemelli |
| Main flavor | Parmesan and pesto |
| Servings | About 4 |
| Best for | Weeknight dinner, lunch, side dish |
| Skill level | Beginner-friendly |
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