Pesto (Green Sauce)

Creamy Pesto Pasta with Green Sauce

This Veg Pesto (Green Sauce) dish is a celebration of fresh basil and rich cream, offering a sophisticated and incredibly satisfying pasta experience. It perfectly balances the strong, aromatic notes of pesto with a velvety cream base, creating a harmonious sauce that clings beautifully to every strand of pasta. While often served simply, you can elevate it with light vegetables like cherry tomatoes or blanched green beans for added texture and nutrition. It’s a quick, elegant, and deeply flavorful option for a weeknight meal or a special occasion.

Yields: 2-3 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients:

• For the Pasta:
  • 200g (about 7 oz) pasta of your choice (spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, or fusilli work well)
  • Salt for pasta water
• For the Creamy Pesto Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil pesto (homemade is highly recommended for best flavor, or good quality store-bought)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a slightly lighter sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (if your pesto isn’t very oily, or for sautéing garlic)
  • 1-2 cloves fresh garlic, minced (optional, but enhances flavor)
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving, optional)
  • Salt to taste (be careful, as pesto and Parmesan are salty)
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, reserved
  • Optional additions: Cherry tomatoes (halved), blanched asparagus or green beans, pine nuts (for garnish)