Description
This creamy pesto cream sauce is a luscious, flavorful addition to your favorite pasta dishes. Made with heavy cream, butter, pesto, and parmesan, it’s rich and comforting with a fresh herbaceous punch from the pesto. The sauce is simple to prepare on the stovetop and perfect for elevating weeknight meals or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat cream mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the heavy cream and water. Bring the mixture to a very gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Add butter and pesto: Stir in the unsalted butter and pesto sauce. Continue stirring until the butter has melted completely. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors.
- Incorporate parmesan: Stir in the shredded parmesan cheese and cook the sauce for an additional 2 minutes on low heat, allowing the cheese to melt and thicken the sauce slightly.
- Season and serve: Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper if needed, depending on the saltiness of your pesto. Serve immediately with your favorite cooked pasta, mixing the pasta directly into the skillet for best flavor coating. Enjoy!
Notes
- If serving with pasta, consider using reserved pasta cooking water instead of plain water to enhance the sauce’s flavor and help it adhere better to the noodles.
- Adjust the amount of pesto to taste; adding more will increase the herbaceous intensity.
- Use freshly shredded parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- This sauce is best served fresh and not reheated multiple times to maintain its creamy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
