Lou's Pesto Cream Sauce

Transform your pasta night with "Lou's Pesto Cream Sauce," a luscious blend of aromatic basil, creamy Parmesan, and a hint of garlic, all elevated by velvety heavy cream. This indulgent sauce combines the bold, herbaceous flavors of classic pesto with the richness of a cream sauce, creating a perfect harmony that's ready in just 20 minutes. Toasted pine nuts and freshly ground black pepper add depth and texture, while a touch of butter enhances its silkiness. Versatile and crowd-pleasing, this sauce pairs beautifully with your favorite pasta or works as a decadent drizzle over roasted vegetables or chicken. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or craving a cozy weeknight indulgence, this quick and creamy pesto sauce is your ticket to gourmet comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves
• 0.25 cups Pine nuts
• 0.5 cups Extra virgin olive oil
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cups Heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper, freshly ground
• 12 ounces Pasta of your choice (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

In a food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves, garlic cloves, and pine nuts. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped.

Step 2

While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue blending until the mixture is smooth and emulsified, forming the pesto.

Step 3

Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the mixture and blend for another 10-15 seconds to incorporate. Set the pesto aside.

Step 4

In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Heat the mixture gently, stirring constantly, until the cream begins to bubble around the edges (about 2 minutes).

Step 6

Add 1/2 cup of the prepared pesto sauce to the cream and butter mixture. Stir to combine evenly.

Step 7

Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Continue cooking and stirring for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 8

If serving with pasta, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss the pasta with the sauce over low heat until evenly coated.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of freshly chopped basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(846.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2916.2

Total Fat 254.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 88.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.5g
Cholesterol 342mg	0%
Sodium 1947.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 114.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.1g	0%
Total Sugars 3.9g
Protein 42.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 544.8mg	0%
Iron 6.6mg	0%
Potassium 529.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 78.5%

Protein: 5.8%

Carbs: 15.6%