Description
Velvety, rich, and loaded with flavor, this Creamy Pesto Pasta Sauce blends Parmesan cheese, basil pesto, and cream into a luscious coating that clings to every bite of pasta. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or an elegant pasta night in.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup single or light cream
- 25g Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- ⅓ cup basil pesto
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
For the Pasta:
- Pasta of your choice (spaghetti, penne, fettuccine, etc.)
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
- Sauté garlic:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, but not browned. - Add cream:
Lower the heat slightly and pour in the cream, stirring constantly with a whisk. - Incorporate cheese:
Add the Parmesan cheese in two parts, whisking after each addition until fully melted and smooth. - Stir in flavor:
Mix in the basil pesto, black pepper, and lemon juice. Simmer on low for 1–2 minutes, stirring occasionally. - Cook and combine pasta:
Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
Using tongs or a spider strainer, transfer the pasta directly into the sauce.
Toss to coat well, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to adjust consistency. - Serve:
Let everything simmer together for 1–2 minutes, then serve hot.
Garnish with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, or a sprinkle of chili flakes, if desired.
Notes
- Use high-quality pesto (store-bought or homemade) for maximum flavor.
- Try this sauce with grilled chicken, shrimp, roasted tomatoes, or sautéed spinach.
- For a dairy-free version, swap cream with coconut cream and cheese with nutritional yeast.
- Leftovers? Store in an airtight container and reheat gently with a splash of milk or water.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3
- Calories: ~420 kcal
- Sugar: ~2g
- Sodium: ~320mg
- Fat: ~30g
- Saturated Fat: ~12g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~17g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~28g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Protein: ~10g
- Cholesterol: ~55mg
Keywords: creamy pesto pasta, pesto cream sauce, basil pasta sauce, quick pasta dinner, vegetarian pasta recipe, Parmesan pesto sauce