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Pesto Cream Sauce Pasta

Pesto Cream Sauce Pasta Recipe

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 648
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz dried pasta
  • ¾ cup prepared basil pesto
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in pesto and warm for 2 minutes without boiling.
  3. Add drained pasta and ¼ cup reserved pasta water to the skillet, sprinkle in Parmesan, and toss until glossy and coated. Taste, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately with extra Parmesan.

Notes

For an even silkier finish, stir in a tablespoon of cold butter at the end. If the sauce seizes up, add pasta water a tablespoon at a time while tossing.