Name: Pesto Cream Sauce (10 minutes!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 0.75 cup heavy cream; 0.333 cup water*; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 0.5 cup pesto sauce; 0.5 cup parmesan; Salt and pepper; 12 ounces pasta*

From the Cook

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Pesto Cream Sauce (10 minutes!)

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Pesto Cream Sauce (10 minutes!)

¾ cup heavy cream

⅓ cup water*

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

½ cup pesto saucemore as desired

½ cup parmesanshredded

Salt and pepperto taste, mine did not need any additional salt but that depends on the saltiness of your pesto

12 ounces pasta*any pasta will work well!

Instructions

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Instructions

In a large skillet over medium heat, mix together the cream and water. Bring to a very gentle simmer.

Add in the butter and pesto and stir to combine. Continue to stir until the butter is melted and for 5 minutes over low heat. Stir in the parmesan and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Serve with your favorite pasta (I like to make the sauce in a large skillet so the pasta can be mixed right in) and ENJOY!

Notes

Pasta – I typically make this with 12oz of pasta but you could also JUST use 8oz if you want it extra saucy OR use a whole pound (16oz) for a less saucy but still delicious recipe.

Water – If you’re serving this with pasta, I like to use leftover pasta water in the cream sauce.

Storing leftovers – Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to about 4 days.

The sauce mixed with the pasta is best served immediately. If you wait too long to serve it, the pasta tends to dry up. If your pasta gets too dry, add additional pasta cooking water to make the pasta creamier again.

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Reserve Pasta Water Strategically 💧
Save 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining—add it gradually to your pesto cream sauce to achieve the perfect consistency and help the sauce cling to pasta strands.
Temper Your Cream Properly 🥛
Add cold heavy cream slowly to the hot sauce while stirring constantly to prevent curdling and ensure a silky, smooth texture throughout.
Add Pesto at the End 🌿
Stir in your pesto sauce in the final 30 seconds of cooking to preserve its vibrant color, fresh basil flavor, and nutritional integrity—heat destroys these qualities quickly.
Emulsify with Butter Last 🧈
Cut unsalted butter into small cubes and whisk it in off-heat after adding cream to create a luxurious, glossy sauce with superior mouthfeel and richness.
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan 🧀
Always grate parmesan cheese fresh just before serving—pre-grated versions contain anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting and create a grainy texture in your sauce.