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For this creamy pesto sauce pasta, you need: - 12 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne work well) - 1 cup fresh basil leaves - ¼ cup pine nuts - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese - 2 cloves garlic, minced - ½ cup heavy cream - ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste These ingredients create a rich and tasty dish. The fresh basil adds a bright flavor. The pine nuts give a nice crunch. Parmesan cheese provides a salty touch. Heavy cream makes the sauce smooth. These ingredients blend perfectly to create a dish you will love. To make your pasta even better, you can add: - Cherry tomatoes, halved - Toasted pine nuts These garnishes add color and texture. The cherry tomatoes bring sweetness. The toasted pine nuts add extra crunch. They make your dish look and taste amazing. You will need a few kitchen tools to make this dish: - A large pot for boiling pasta - A food processor for making the pesto - A skillet for mixing the pasta and sauce - A measuring cup for accurate portions Having the right tools makes cooking easier. These items help you create a perfect creamy pesto sauce pasta. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. The salt helps add flavor. Once boiling, add 12 oz of your favorite pasta, like fettuccine or penne. Cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. After it's done, drain the pasta in a colander. Don’t forget to save about 1 cup of the pasta water. This will help later when mixing the sauce. Now, let’s make the creamy pesto sauce. Grab your food processor and add 1 cup of fresh basil leaves, ¼ cup of pine nuts, ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Pulse them together until they are finely chopped. Next, while the processor runs, slowly drizzle in ¼ cup of extra-virgin olive oil. This helps blend everything smoothly. After that, add ½ cup of heavy cream and pulse again until mixed. If your sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water until it’s just right. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the cooked pasta. Pour the creamy pesto sauce over the pasta. Toss them together well to coat every piece. If it looks dry, add more of the reserved pasta water to make it creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a special touch, you can top your dish with halved cherry tomatoes and toasted pine nuts for added taste and crunch. Enjoy your meal! For creamy pesto sauce pasta, I recommend fettuccine or penne. These shapes hold sauce well. Fettuccine has a flat surface, so it grabs the sauce tightly. Penne has ridges, which catch the creamy goodness. You can also use rotini or farfalle if you prefer. Just remember to cook it until al dente for the best texture. To create a smooth pesto sauce, use a food processor. First, blend fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic. Pulse until finely chopped. This step breaks down the ingredients. Then, with the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. This creates a creamy base. Finally, add the heavy cream and pulse until combined. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water. This helps loosen it up. Seasoning is key for a tasty dish. Start with salt and pepper. Add them gradually. Taste as you go to get it just right. Freshly cracked black pepper adds a nice kick. You can also try a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness. If you like it spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Adjust the flavors to match your taste. Pro Tips Use Fresh Basil: Fresh basil is key for the best flavor in your pesto. Avoid dried basil for this recipe, as it won't provide the same vibrant taste. Toast Pine Nuts: Lightly toasting the pine nuts before adding them to the pesto enhances their flavor and adds a delicious nuttiness to the sauce. Adjust Creaminess: If your sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency. This will help keep the sauce silky and light. Garnish with Fresh Ingredients: Fresh cherry tomatoes and toasted pine nuts not only add visual appeal but also provide a delightful contrast in texture and flavor to the creamy pasta. {{image_2}} You can make this dish vegetarian by skipping the Parmesan cheese. Use nutritional yeast instead. This gives you a cheesy taste without dairy. For a vegan twist, swap heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. You still get that rich texture with a fresh flavor. Add more veggies like spinach or zucchini for a colorful plate. To make your meal heartier, add protein. Grilled chicken or shrimp works great. Cook the chicken in slices or the shrimp until pink. Mix them in right before serving. This adds a nice touch and makes it more filling. You can also use tofu for a plant-based option. Don't hesitate to swap ingredients for fun flavors. Try sun-dried tomatoes instead of fresh ones for a tangy taste. You can also add arugula for a peppery kick. Experiment with different nuts like walnuts or almonds for your pesto. Each change can offer a new twist to your creamy pesto sauce pasta. Enjoy creating your own version! To keep your creamy pesto sauce pasta fresh, store it in an airtight container. Make sure to let it cool down first. Then, place it in the fridge. It stays good for about 3 to 5 days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. Just remember to leave some space in the container for expansion. When you’re ready to eat your leftovers, reheat the pasta gently. You can use a microwave or a skillet. If using the microwave, heat it in short bursts. Stir it every minute to avoid hot spots. If you use a skillet, add a splash of water or cream to keep it moist. Heat on low and stir until warm. This way, your pasta stays creamy and tasty. To freeze creamy pesto sauce pasta, portion it into small containers. Ensure they are freezer-safe. Label them with the date. It can last up to 2 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. You can reheat it as mentioned before. Add a bit of cream or pasta water if it seems dry after freezing. Yes, you can use store-bought pesto. It saves time and works well. Just choose a brand with fresh ingredients for the best taste. If you're in a hurry, this option is great! Fettuccine and penne are perfect for creamy sauces. Their shapes hold the sauce well. You can also try other pasta like farfalle or rigatoni. They add a fun twist to your dish. To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. Many brands offer tasty options made from rice or chickpeas. Just cook them according to package instructions. The creamy pesto sauce stays delicious with any pasta. Yes, you can make creamy pesto sauce in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Just stir it well before using. If it thickens, add a bit of pasta water to loosen it. In this blog post, I covered how to make creamy pesto sauce pasta. You learned about key ingredients, optional garnishes, and tools needed. I shared step-by-step instructions on cooking, making sauce, and combining everything. Tips included choosing pasta and seasoning well. Variations like vegetarian options and adding protein help personalize your dish. Lastly, I discussed storage and reheating for best taste. Enjoy your cooking journey and make this dish your own!

Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta

A delicious pasta dish coated in a creamy pesto sauce made with fresh basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne)
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1 4 cup pine nuts
  • 1 2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: Cherry tomatoes for garnish
  • Optional: Toasted pine nuts for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water.
  • Prepare the Pesto: In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
  • Add Cream and Olive Oil: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and continue to blend until smooth. Then, add the heavy cream and pulse until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
  • Mix with Pasta: In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the cooked pasta and creamy pesto sauce. Toss well to coat all the pasta evenly. If necessary, add more reserved pasta water to achieve desired creaminess.
  • Season and Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Garnish: If desired, top with halved cherry tomatoes and toasted pine nuts for added texture and flavor.

Notes

Add more reserved pasta water for desired creaminess.
Keyword creamy sauce, pasta, pesto