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To make creamy pesto pasta, you need a few key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need: - 12 oz. pasta of your choice (fettuccine or penne work well) - 1 cup fresh basil leaves - 1/4 cup pine nuts (toasted if desired) - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1/2 cup heavy cream - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1/3 cup olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste These ingredients create a rich and tasty dish. The fresh basil brings a bright flavor. The Parmesan adds a nice cheesy touch. The cream makes it smooth and creamy. You can enhance this dish with some optional ingredients. These add a fun twist: - Cherry tomatoes, halved (for garnish) - Extra basil leaves (for garnish) Adding cherry tomatoes gives a lovely color. They also add a sweet burst of flavor. Extra basil leaves make the dish look fresh and vibrant. While you can use many types of pasta, some work better than others. I recommend: - Fettuccine - Penne - Farfalle Fettuccine holds onto the creamy pesto well. Penne and farfalle also catch the sauce nicely. Choose your favorite pasta for a delightful meal! {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add your pasta to the pot. Cook it until it is al dente, which usually takes around 8 to 10 minutes. Check the package for exact times. Once done, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. This water helps with the sauce later. Drain the pasta and set it aside. Next, grab a food processor. Add the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt. Pulse the mixture until it is finely chopped. Now, with the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Blend until the mixture is smooth. If it seems too thick, add a bit more olive oil to thin it out. In a large skillet, pour in the heavy cream over medium heat. Once the cream is warm, add the pesto you made. Stir it well and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing everything to coat. If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the right consistency. Lastly, season with salt and pepper to your taste. To make great pesto, texture matters. Start with fresh basil leaves. They bring bright flavor. Add toasted pine nuts for a nutty taste. Pulse them in a food processor until finely chopped. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while blending. This helps the pesto become smooth and creamy. If it feels too thick, add more oil. The right texture should be silky, not gritty. Cooking pasta is simple, but some steps help. Use a large pot and fill it with water. Add a good amount of salt; this flavors the pasta. Bring the water to a rolling boil before adding the pasta. Stir it occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until it is al dente. This means it should be firm but not hard. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining. This water can help adjust your sauce later. When serving creamy pesto pasta, a little flair goes a long way. Start with a clean plate. Twirl the pasta into a nest shape for height. Add halved cherry tomatoes on top for a pop of color. Finish with fresh basil leaves for a touch of green. This makes your dish look appealing and fresh. You can also sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese for added flavor and elegance. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, opt for fresh basil and high-quality Parmesan cheese. Fresh ingredients make a noticeable difference in the taste of your pesto. Toast Your Nuts: Toasting pine nuts before adding them to the pesto enhances their flavor. Just a few minutes in a dry skillet will bring out their natural oils and nuttiness. Adjust Consistency: If your sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to reach your desired creaminess. This also helps the sauce cling to the pasta better. Customize the Pesto: Feel free to add other ingredients like spinach or kale to your pesto for added nutrition, or substitute walnuts for pine nuts for a different flavor profile. {{image_2}} You can add protein to your creamy pesto pasta to make it heartier. Grilled chicken adds great flavor. Simply slice cooked chicken and mix it in. Shrimp is another tasty choice. Cook shrimp in a pan until pink and toss it with the pasta. You can even use cooked sausage or tofu if you like. For a vegetarian twist, skip the cheese and cream. Use cashew cream instead. Blend soaked cashews with water until smooth. You can also add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. For vegan options, replace Parmesan with a vegan cheese. This keeps the dish rich and creamy without dairy. Switching up nuts and herbs can change your pasta's taste. Instead of pine nuts, try walnuts or almonds. Each nut gives a unique flavor. You can also mix in different herbs. Mint or arugula can add a fresh twist. Experiment with what you have at home for new flavors. To store leftover creamy pesto pasta, let it cool first. Place it in an airtight container. Make sure to seal it well. This helps keep it fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. When you reheat creamy pesto pasta, do it slowly. Use a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water or cream to keep it moist. Stir often to avoid sticking. You can also use a microwave. Heat it in short bursts, stirring in between. You can freeze creamy pesto pasta if you have lots left. Use a freezer-safe container. Leave some space at the top, as it will expand. Label the container with the date. It will stay good for about two months. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight before reheating. You can use many kinds of pasta for creamy pesto. Fettuccine and penne are great choices. They hold the sauce well, giving every bite flavor. Other options include spaghetti or farfalle. Choose your favorite shape for a fun twist. Yes, you can make creamy pesto sauce ahead. Prepare the pesto and store it in the fridge. Keep it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Just add the cream before using. This makes it easy when you want to cook later. To adjust the creaminess, add more or less cream. If you want it creamier, pour in extra heavy cream. For a lighter sauce, use less. You can also add a bit of reserved pasta water to change the texture. This helps you find your perfect mix. Garnishes add color and flavor. Cherry tomatoes are a great choice; their sweetness pairs well. Extra basil leaves give a fresh touch. You can also sprinkle more Parmesan cheese for richness. These simple touches make your dish look and taste even better. Creamy pesto pasta is easy to make with the right ingredients and steps. You learned about key ingredients, how to cook pasta, and prepare the sauce. I shared tips for great texture and tasty variations. Finally, I covered how to store and reheat your pasta for future meals. With these tips, you can enjoy delicious pasta any time. Try making this dish and impress yourself and others with your cooking skills. Enjoy your creamy pesto pasta adventure!

Creamy Pesto Pasta

A delicious pasta dish with a creamy pesto sauce made from fresh basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz pasta of your choice (fettuccine or penne work well)
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1 4 cup pine nuts (toasted if desired)
  • 1 2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 2 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 3 cup olive oil
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • as needed Cherry tomatoes, halved (for garnish)
  • as needed Extra basil leaves (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  • In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until finely chopped.
  • Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while the food processor is running, blending until smooth. If the pesto is too thick, you can add a little more olive oil.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, pour in the heavy cream. Once warmed, add in the prepared pesto and stir to combine. Let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. Use the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to achieve your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Plate the creamy pesto pasta and garnish with halved cherry tomatoes and extra basil leaves.

Notes

Use toasted pine nuts for added flavor.
Keyword creamy, Italian, pasta, pesto