Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy goodness of this homemade Creamy Pesto Pasta Sauce. With the vibrant flavors of basil pesto, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of lemon, this sauce elevates any pasta dish to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Basil Pesto:
- 1 cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
Creamy Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Garlic: In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer Cream: Add heavy cream to the pan and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in pesto, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Reduce heat and simmer for 3–5 minutes until creamy.
- Finish: Add lemon juice if desired. Toss with cooked pasta and serve topped with extra Parmesan or fresh basil.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half or whole milk.
- This sauce pairs well with gnocchi, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of sauce
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
