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Kirkland Pesto Pasta

Costco's Kirkland basil pesto turns a bag of pasta into a restaurant-quality dinner in under 20 minutes — no cooking skills required.

Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
12 min
Servings
4
Cost / Serving
$5.75

Quick Answer

Cook pasta, reserve a half cup of starchy water, then toss with Costco's Kirkland basil pesto, the reserved water, and Parmesan off the heat. Heat kills pesto's bright flavor — that's why you toss off-heat. Ready in 17 minutes; serves 4.

Kirkland pesto pasta is one of the fastest, most satisfying dinners you can make from a Costco haul. The Kirkland Signature basil pesto is rich, garlicky, and deeply herby — toss it with hot pasta and a splash of pasta water and you have a dish that tastes genuinely homemade. Add cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, or Kirkland Parmigiano-Reggiano to make it a full meal.

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.

  2. 2

    Before draining, scoop out ½ cup of starchy pasta water and set aside.

  3. 3

    Drain pasta, then return it to the pot off the heat.

  4. 4

    Add pesto and 3–4 tablespoons of pasta water. Toss vigorously — the starch in the water helps the pesto coat every strand evenly.

  5. 5

    Add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time until the sauce is glossy and clings to the pasta rather than pooling at the bottom.

  6. 6

    Fold in cherry tomatoes. Season with black pepper and taste for salt.

  7. 7

    Serve topped with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and pine nuts. Pass extra pesto at the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much Kirkland pesto should I use per pound of pasta?+
For a well-coated but not overwhelming sauce, use ⅓ cup of Kirkland pesto per pound of pasta. You can always add more at the table. The pasta water trick is essential — it emulsifies the pesto into a silky sauce rather than a thick clump.
Can I add protein to Kirkland pesto pasta?+
Absolutely. Shredded Costco rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp, or sliced Italian sausage all work perfectly. Add the protein after tossing the pasta with pesto so it doesn't cool down the dish.
How long does Kirkland pesto last after opening?+
After opening, Kirkland pesto lasts about 1–2 weeks in the refrigerator when stored with a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent oxidation. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for up to 3 months.
Is Kirkland pesto vegetarian?+
Kirkland Signature basil pesto contains Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino Romano, which are made with animal rennet and are technically not vegetarian by strict standards. For a fully vegetarian dish, use a vegetarian pesto or make your own.
What pasta shape works best with pesto?+
Long thin pastas like spaghetti, linguine, or trenette are traditional. Short ridged shapes like fusilli or penne also work well because they trap the pesto. Avoid very thick pastas like rigatoni — the pesto can slip right off.

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