Creamy Pesto Sauce: Elevate Your Pasta Night Instantly
This creamy pesto sauce is the perfect blend of fresh basil, garlic, and parmesan, adding rich flavors to any dish.
Equipment
- - Food processor
- Saucepan
Ingredients
For the Pesto Base
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves packed for maximum flavor
- 1/3 cup pine nuts substitute with walnuts if desired
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 2 cloves garlic adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt use sea salt for nuance
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
For the Creamy Element
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for a lighter version
- 1/2 cup pesto homemade or store-bought
- 1/4 cup additional Parmesan cheese for finishing touch
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
How to Make Creamy Pesto Sauce
- Begin by placing all your ingredients, except the olive oil, into a food processor.
- Blitz the mixture for a few seconds until everything is nicely chopped. Then, slowly drizzle in the olive oil while the food processor runs.
- Stop the processor and taste your pesto. Adjust by adding more salt or a splash of lemon juice if needed.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, gently warm the heavy cream until it simmers.
- Stir in the blended pesto into the saucepan, cooking for 1-2 minutes until it’s smooth.
- Fold in 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Optional: Serve with toasted pine nuts on top for added crunch. Use the freshest ingredients for the best results.