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Easy Creamy Pesto Pasta Sauce Recipe

Close-up of fettuccine noodles coated generously in creamy pesto pasta sauce, topped with grated cheese.
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Make a rich, velvety pesto cream sauce quickly using fresh basil pesto and heavy cream for a restaurant-style pasta dish.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup fresh basil pesto
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta cooking water
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound fettuccine or preferred pasta

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Reduce the heat to low. Add the fresh basil pesto to the skillet and stir for 30 seconds to warm it slightly.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and stir constantly until the mixture begins to simmer gently.
  5. Whisk in the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
  6. Add 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the sauce, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes velvety. If the sauce seems too thick, add more pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency for this creamy pesto sauce recipe.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat every strand evenly.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use homemade basil pesto.
  • If you want a no cream pesto sauce recipe, substitute the heavy cream with an equal amount of reserved pasta water and 2 tablespoons of softened cream cheese or mascarpone for creaminess.
  • This sauce pairs well with grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete meal.
  • To thicken pesto sauce without cream, rely heavily on the starchy pasta water and vigorous stirring.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/creamy-pesto-pasta-sauce-recipe/