Description
A creamy and flavorful pesto cream sauce that combines heavy cream, butter, and parmesan cheese with pesto for a rich and delicious pasta topping. This sauce is easy to make on the stovetop and pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup water (or reserved pasta water if serving with pasta)
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce, more as desired
- 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 (or leftover pasta water). Bring the mixture to a very gentle simmer.
- Add butter and pesto: Stir in the unsalted butter and pesto sauce. Continue stirring until the butter is melted and cook for 5 minutes over low heat, allowing the flavors to combine.
- Incorporate parmesan: Stir in the shredded parmesan cheese and cook for an additional 2 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.
- Season to taste: Add salt and pepper as needed, keeping in mind that the pesto and parmesan may already add saltiness.
- Serve: Mix the sauce directly with your favorite cooked pasta in the skillet or serve it over your dish immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- If serving with pasta, use reserved pasta cooking water instead of plain water to enhance the sauce flavor and help it cling to the pasta.
- Adjust the amount of pesto depending on your preferred intensity of flavor.
- If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash more water or cream to reach desired consistency.
- Use freshly shredded parmesan for best melting and flavor results.
- This sauce can be customized by adding cooked chicken, vegetables, or proteins for a more filling meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
