Description
Indulge in this creamy pesto sauce pasta, a quick and flavorful dish perfect for weeknights. Enjoy the taste of fresh basil and rich cream combined with perfectly cooked pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces pasta
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta is cooking, combine basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil in a food processor.
- Process until smooth to create the pesto.
- In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with the pesto sauce.
- Add heavy cream and toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, substitute sunflower seeds or pepitas for pine nuts.
- Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or your favorite vegetables for a heartier meal.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg