Description
This creamy pesto sauce pasta features tender penne coated in a velvety blend of basil, Parmesan, and cream, creating a rich yet fresh flavor. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it comes together quickly and pairs beautifully with chicken, seafood, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1 clove garlic
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream or ricotta
1–2 tsp lemon juice
1/2–2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
In a food processor, blend basil, garlic, nuts, and Parmesan until finely chopped.
Slowly stream in olive oil until emulsified and smooth.
Transfer pesto to a large skillet, stir in cream, and warm over low heat.
Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat; add pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
Season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For a dairy-free version, replace cream with avocado or coconut cream.
Use walnuts or almonds for a budget-friendly nut option.
To keep the sauce vibrant green, chill basil leaves before blending.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: creamy pesto sauce, pesto cream pasta, basil pasta sauce, creamy basil pesto, pesto with cream