Creamy Pesto Sauce
This creamy pesto sauce is what happens when classic Italian pesto meets a silky, luxurious finish. It’s bright, fresh, and unbelievably smooth, the kind of sauce that clings to every piece of pasta and makes a simple dinner feel special in just 20 minutes.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and quartered
- 4 packed cups fresh basil leaves stems removed
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil plus more as needed
- ¾ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- ¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano or use all Parmesan
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup whole milk plus more to thin, if needed
Instructions
- In a food processor, add pine nuts, salt, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add the basil leaves and pulse until broken down.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until smooth and creamy. Add more oil if needed for a smooth consistency.
- Add the grated cheeses and pulse just until combined. Set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the heavy cream and milk until small bubbles form around the edges. Do not boil.
- Turn off the heat and let the cream cool for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in the prepared pesto. Mix gently until smooth and creamy. The cheese will melt into the sauce.
- Taste and adjust with salt if needed. Add a splash of milk if the sauce is too thick.
- Toss immediately with hot al dente pasta, or store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Avoid High Heat: Never cook pesto directly on high heat, or it will turn dull and lose flavor
- Pasta Water: Add a splash of pasta water when tossing with pasta for the silkiest finish
- Use Quality Cheese: Use high-quality Parmigiano-Reggiano; it makes a big difference
- Don't Over Blend: Blend just until smooth; over-blending can dull the basil flavor
- Use Fresh Basil: If your basil is dark or bruised, your pesto won’t be vibrant
Nutrition
Calories: 412kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 653mg | Potassium: 113mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 731IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 235mg | Iron: 1mg
