Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked pasta, coated in a luscious, vibrant green sauce that combines the aromatic freshness of basil with the luxurious richness of cream. This isn't just another pasta recipe – it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish you can create right in your own kitchen. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a meal that looks gourmet but comes together in just 25 minutes!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 8 oz of your preferred pasta, 1 cup of fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup of pine nuts, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 2 cloves of garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add a generous pinch of salt to the water, then add the pasta. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the basil pesto cream sauce. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and the two cloves of garlic. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.
- With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little more cream or a splash of pasta cooking water to reach your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
- Return the drained pasta to the pot over low heat. Pour the basil pesto cream sauce over the pasta, tossing to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water until you achieve your desired creaminess.
- Cook the pasta and sauce together for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious Pasta with Fresh Basil Pesto Cream Sauce!
Tips
- • Use the freshest basil leaves possible – they're the star of this sauce! • Toast your pine nuts lightly before adding to the pesto for an extra depth of flavor • Reserve some pasta water before draining – it's liquid gold for creating the perfect sauce consistency • Don't overcook the pasta – aim for al dente to maintain a slight bite • For a lighter version, you can substitute half the heavy cream with Greek yogurt • If you're short on time, store-bought basil pesto can be a quick substitute • Experiment with different pasta shapes – while long pasta like linguine works great, short pastas like penne can also be delicious • For a gourmet touch, add a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil just before serving
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 55mg
