Whether I want a rich sauce to coat all sides of my pasta, or a simple sauce that envelops my shrimp or chicken, this creamy basil pesto sauce does the trick. The plus is that it’s dotted with flavorful fresh basil, garlic, and pine nuts.
What is Creamy Pesto Sauce?
Have you tried the beautiful bright green sauce that is the typical pesto? If you love the mix of parmesan, basil, and nuttiness, then you’ll love this creamy pesto sauce.
It starts with a roux (this is fancy talk for a whisked mixture of butter and flour) and then you mix in cream as well as a traditional homemade pesto whipped up quickly in your food processor.
The mix of fresh herbs and hard cheese with the creamy sauce makes it the perfect topping for pasta, seafood, meat, and vegetables. It’s even amazing on pizza (or as a dip for your pizza crusts).
One of my favorite things about this decadent sauce is that it’s so simple yet elegant. It’s the kind of topping that seems like you spent a ton of time making it, yet it’s easier and more efficient than running to the store to grab jars of similar sauces.
If you have fresh basil leaves from your basil plants, that’s obviously the way to go with this pesto recipe, but if not, wherever you can source it – the farmers’ market, a local grocery store — will work. The same is true for the parsley.
The next time you need a creamy yet brightly flavored sauce, make this your go-to. It’s one of my favorite ways to liven up dinnertime, no matter what’s on the table.
Gather This
The ingredients needed to make this creamy basil pesto sauce are all easily found at your local grocery store. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Pine nuts– For this recipe be sure to toast the pine nuts ahead of time. In a typical pesto, toasting is an option but to really bring out the nuttiness through the cream, toasting is optimal.
- Fresh basil leaves– This is the main ingredient – pack those leaves in there! Make sure to fill that measuring cup until you just can’t fill it any more.
- Fresh garlic cloves
- Flat parsley
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fine sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- Unsalted butter
- Whole milk
- Flour
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
Perfect Pairings
You can use this creamy fresh pesto recipe for so many things. My absolute favorite way is to toss it with my favorite pasta (especially varieties like linguini, tagliatelle, and pappardelle). Here are some other ideas:
- Transform eggs benedict by using this sauce instead of hollandaise
- Substitute it for the balsamic in a chicken caprese recipe
- Add color and creaminess to a white pizza
- Mix with your ricotta when making stuffed shells or lasagna, or stuffing homemade ravioli, for an even creamier filling or layer
- Dip your favorite bread into it. Slice of garlic bread are a great choice, but you can also just use pieces of a baguette or even pita.
- Make your mashed potatoes brighter and even creamier by stirring it in
- Use this creamy sauce as a dip for french fries or baked zucchini sticks
- Drizzle it over any roasted or steamed vegetables, especially fresh steamed green beans
- Salt – I use a pinch of fine sea salt to help bring out the other flavors in this creamy basil pesto sauce.
- Seasonings – If you want to add some spice to your sauce, try throwing in crushed red pepper flakes or even cayenne. If you’re using it with a seafood dish (eg, fettuccine with shrimp) you could use Old Bay as well.
- Swaps – You can substitute another hard cheese for the parmesan cheese. Avoid cheeses that might become stringy like mozzarella. Grana padano and pecorino romano cheese are good alternatives.
- Senses – Silky and vibrant, creamy basil pesto bursts with the fresh aroma of sweet basil, nutty Parmesan, and toasted pine nuts, all wrapped in a rich, garlicky finish that clings to every bite.
Storage and Freezing
Leftover creamy basil pesto sauce can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
I do not recommend freezing this recipe. The heavy cream will separate when thawed.
More Homemade Sauces
If you know me, you know how much I love a good homemade sauce recipe. Here are some of my favorites.
Creamy Basil Pesto Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pine nuts , toasted
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves , packed
- 1/4 cup flat parsley, , packed
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese melted
Instructions
- Place the 1/4 cup pine nuts in a large food processor. Pulse until a paste forms.
- Add the 4 cloves garlic, 2 cups fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup flat parsley,, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Pulse until a grainy pesto is formed. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and whisk with 1 tablespoon flour until a paste forms.
- Whisk in the 1 cup heavy cream until smooth and then whisk in the 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.
- Remove from the heat and stir in pesto sauce until blended.
- Use over pasta, on chicken, seafood or vegetables.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!
Nutrition
This was so creamy and easy to make! Was amazing on tortellini!
This is a great idea to have the pesto creamier. I’m sure my kids will love this over pasta. Going to make this for dinner
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a creamy take on pesto but looks like a nice way to have a bit of both herb flavors and creaminess.
This sauce was super delish! I could not love basil more so I figured I would like it. I drizzled it all over some spag squash. Yum!
This sauce is delicious on grilled salmon, and now I want to try it on pizza, as you suggested. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m a huge fan of pesto, but have never made a creamy version until I found this recipe. My new and forever favorite right here! Saved!
This creamy pesto is packed with vibrant, fresh flavors and we love that it’s so versatile. I’m already making a list of how to use it.
This pesto sauce is so good, I can put this stuff on everything! It’s easy and quick to make too! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
I love how versatile this recipe is! So delicious!
This recipe sounds delicious, has anyone tried it cold as a sandwich spread?
I have- (also the creator though)- I use it on BLTs 🙂