Creamy Pesto

This creamy pesto sauce is so bright and packed with fresh flavor, and the best part is there is no cooking required! This quick and easy creamy sauce is ready in just 15 minutes and is perfect on your favorite cooked pasta.

Prep Time15

Cook Time0

Total Time15

Course: Dinner, Sauce

Cuisine: Italian American

Keyword: basil pesto, creamy pesto

Servings: people

Author: Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

1/2 cup raw pine nuts or walnuts
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated or 2/3 cup store-bought grated
6 ounces fresh basil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

Place the pine nuts in a small frying pan over medium heat. Cook, occasionally tossing, until light golden brown, toasted, and fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Allow them to cool slightly and place them in the food processor.
Place half of the basil leaves into a food processor with the pine nuts, parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, and salt. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped.
Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the food processor then add the remaining basil. Continue to pulse until paste-like consistency forms.
Remove the lid and slowly pour half in the olive oil and pulse the ingredients together until it's mixed well. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
With the motor running, slowly pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream and process until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds. Taste and season with more kosher salt as needed.
Toss with warm cooked pasta and enjoy!

Nutrition

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