Easy Pesto Cream Sauce Recipe

This pesto cream sauce recipe is ready faster than you can cook pasta, and you only need a handful of simple ingredients. Serve it over your favorite noodles for a quick dinner or easy side to any cooked chicken, fish, or beef!

What you’ll love about this creamy pesto sauce:

• Pesto gives it amazing flavor, and cream makes it the perfect comfort food.
• It’s virtually fool-proof, just stir and heat the ingredients together. It’s embarrassingly easy!
• A bit of garlic and parmesan take it to the next level.
• It takes about the same amount of time to make as a box of mac & cheese!
• It’s filling enough for a main dish but it can also be used as a great side.

What is pesto cream sauce made of?

The two basic ingredients in classic pesto cream sauce are cream and basil pesto. This version has garlic and parmesan for extra flavor, and a bit of milk to make it a bit lighter.

How to make creamy pesto pasta sauce:

1. PREP – Before starting the sauce, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water.
2. SAUCE – Simply combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan. Cook and stir over medium or  medium-low heat until the cheese melts. That’s it!
3. SERVE – Stir the sauce into your favorite pasta. It’s extra tasty garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra parmesan cheese.

You can store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Pesto Cream Sauce Recipe Variations:

• I use store-bought pesto from Costco, but you can use your favorite recipe for homemade pesto if you prefer.
• Fettucini noodles work well, but I have also served this creamy sauce with penne pasta, rotini, and bowties. Just about any pasta shape will work, so just use what you have on hand!
• Garden fresh cherry tomatoes are great addition; just sprinkle them on top before serving.
• A splash of fresh lemon juice sprinkled over the pasta adds a bright, fresh flavor.

MORE SIMPLE PASTA DISHES:

• Cheesy Taco Pasta
• Crack Chicken Casserole
• Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef
• Baked Penne Pasta with Mozzarella
• Keto Alfredo Sauce Recipe
• Veggie Pesto Pasta
• Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
• BBQ Chicken Pasta

Pesto Cream Sauce Recipe

Kara

Serve this delicious sauce over hot pasta for an easy meal, or use it as a side dish alongside grilled chicken breast. It's a great recipe when you want to impress but are in a hurry!

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Main Dish: Vegetarian

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings (1/3 cup each)

Calories 274 kcal

Equipment

• Garlic Press
• Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Sauce Pan with Lid, 1 Quart
•  Basics Silicone Spatula Set (2 Small, 2 Large)

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup 2% milk or whole milk
• ⅓ cup pesto
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• ⅛ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp black pepper
• ⅓ cup parmesan cheese
• Optional – fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

 

• Before you start the sauce, cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions. (We like it al dente.)
• Combine cream, milk, pesto, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and parmesan in a heavy saucepan or large skillet.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until the cheese melts.
• Serve over hot cooked pasta. (You will need 6-8 ounces of dry pasta.)

Notes

• Homemade basil pesto is fantastic, but my favorite jarred pesto is Kirkland brand.
• Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
• Nutrition information is just for the sauce, it doesn’t include pasta.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 274kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 6gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 419mgPotassium: 78mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1153IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 182mgIron: 0.3mg

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This creamy pesto pasta recipe is the perfect dinner for busy weeknights. Serve it with a green salad and garlic bread and the whole family will be happy!