Description
A rich and creamy pesto cream sauce made with heavy cream, butter, pesto, and Parmesan cheese, perfect for mixing into your favorite pasta for a deliciously flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup water (or reserved pasta water)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat cream and water: In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the heavy cream and water. Bring the mixture to a very gentle simmer to start the sauce base.
- Add butter and pesto: Stir in the unsalted butter and pesto sauce, mixing well until the butter is fully melted. Continue stirring over low heat for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese and cook for an additional 2 minutes to thicken and enrich the sauce.
- Season and serve: Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed depending on the saltiness of your pesto. Serve immediately by tossing with your favorite cooked pasta in the skillet for best flavor integration. Enjoy!
Notes
- If serving with pasta, use reserved pasta water instead of plain water to enhance the sauce’s flavor and texture.
- Adjust the amount of pesto to your taste preference for a milder or more intense basil flavor.
- Use freshly shredded Parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- Cook the sauce gently over low heat to prevent the cream from curdling.
- This sauce pairs well with any type of pasta, including fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
