Description
Creamy pesto pasta made with fresh basil, parsley, Parmesan, and rich cream for the perfect spring comfort dish. This easy creamy pesto pasta recipe is ideal for light spring lunches, family dinners, brunches, and Easter gatherings, and it is simple to customize with chicken, shrimp, or vegetables.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh basil
1 cup fresh parsley
2/3 cup cashews
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup olive oil
4 cloves of garlic
16 ounces of pasta of choice
1/2 onion, diced
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup reserved pasta water as needed
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
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In a food processor or high-powered blender, combine basil, parsley, cashews, Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, olive oil, and garlic. Blend until smooth and creamy.
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In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes.
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Pour in the heavy whipping cream and allow it to gently simmer until slightly thickened. Stir in the prepared pesto until fully combined.
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Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until evenly coated. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to reach a silky consistency. Taste and adjust salt if needed, then serve warm.
Notes
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Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest creamy pesto pasta sauce and best flavor. Pre-shredded cheese does not melt as well.
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Salt the pasta water generously. This is the first layer of flavor in this creamy pesto pasta recipe.
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If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a splash of warm milk, cream, or reserved pasta water until silky again.
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For a lighter version, you can make creamy pesto pasta with milk instead of heavy cream. Allow it to simmer a little longer to thicken.
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To make creamy pesto pasta without cream, increase the reserved pasta water and add extra Parmesan for richness.
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This recipe is easy to customize. Add grilled chicken for creamy chicken pesto pasta, sautéed shrimp for creamy shrimp pesto pasta, or roasted vegetables for vegetable creamy pesto pasta.
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Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently with a splash of liquid to refresh the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1½ cups)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 55mg