Creamy Basil Pesto
Brighten your meals with this lush Creamy Basil Pesto—a velvety twist on the classic Italian sauce that’s bursting with fresh, herbal flavor. Made with fragrant basil leaves, nutty Parmesan cheese, rich pine nuts, and just the right amount of garlic, this recipe takes it to the next level with the addition of silky heavy cream and a splash of tangy lemon juice. Perfectly balanced with olive oil and seasoned to taste, this no-cook sauce comes together in just 10 minutes, making it a quick and versatile choice for any meal. Use it as a decadent topping for pasta, a flavorful spread for sandwiches, or a gourmet drizzle over grilled vegetables and proteins. This creamy pesto is your new go-to recipe for elevating everyday dishes with a touch of indulgence!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups (packed) fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cups parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cups pine nuts
- 2 whole garlic cloves
- 0.5 cups olive oil
- 0.25 cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Thoroughly wash and dry the fresh basil leaves to remove any dirt or debris.
Combine the basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor or a high-powered blender.
Pulse the ingredients a few times until they are roughly chopped and well combined.
While the processor or blender is running, slowly stream in the olive oil, blending until the sauce reaches a smooth consistency.
Add the heavy cream, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the mixture, and blend until fully incorporated and creamy.
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.
Transfer the creamy basil pesto to a clean, airtight container and refrigerate if not using immediately.
Serve the pesto with your favorite pasta, as a spread, or as a sauce for grilled vegetables or proteins.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1600 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 164.0 g | 210% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.8 g | 189% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 100 mg | 33% | |
| Sodium | 1680 mg | 73% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 12.1 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.7 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.6 g | ||
| Protein | 25.1 g | 50% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 628 mg | 48% | |
| Iron | 6.9 mg | 38% | |
| Potassium | 653 mg | 14% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
