Final answer:
The pesto cream penne may or may not be vegetarian, depending on whether the Parmesan cheese used in the pesto contains animal rennet. Vegetarian versions of Parmesan are available and can be used to ensure the dish is vegetarian-friendly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Is the pesto cream penne vegetarian?' pertains to the ingredients that are used in the dish to determine whether it fits within a vegetarian diet. Pesto cream penne traditionally consists of penne pasta with a sauce made from pesto and cream. The pesto is generally made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. However, because Parmesan cheese often contains animal rennet, which is not vegetarian, the dish may not be suitable for vegetarians depending on the specific cheese used. There are vegetarian versions of Parmesan cheese that use microbial or vegetable rennet instead. To ensure the dish is vegetarian, one would have to confirm that the cheese used in the pesto is indeed vegetarian or replace it with a vegetarian-friendly cheese.