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

1/8

Pesto Cream Sauce (10 minutes!)

Food with Feeling Verified

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

This recipe also lives on Food with Feeling. Show them some love by checking it out! 😊

Check out original post! 😊

Original PostView

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.

Smart Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

0
Review & Earn

Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

My Notes

Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Tips & Tricks (5)

Temper Your Cream Carefully 🌡️
Add a splash of pasta water to your pesto before stirring in the cold cream to prevent curdling and ensure a silky, cohesive sauce.
Reserve Pasta Water First 💧
Save at least 1 cup of starchy pasta cooking water before draining—this is your secret weapon for adjusting sauce consistency and helping it cling to the pasta.
Bloom Your Pesto in Butter 🧈
Melt the butter first and gently warm your pesto in it for 30 seconds before adding cream; this releases the basil's essential oils and deepens the flavor significantly.
Add Parmesan Off Heat 🧀
Stir in the parmesan after removing from heat to prevent it from becoming grainy or separating in the hot cream.
Finish with Fresh Basil 🌿
Reserve a small handful of fresh basil to tear and sprinkle on top just before serving—this provides bright, fresh flavor contrast to the rich, cooked pesto base.