Video How to make a creamy pesto sauce

Homemade Creamy Pesto Sauce Recipe – This effortless homemade pesto sauce is rich, creamy, and packed with bright summer flavors. Make the creamiest, dreamiest basil pesto sauce in just 5 minutes with only a handful of simple and fresh ingredients!

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Pesto Cream Sauce

There are two types of people in the world: People who like pesto and those who are just wrong. *wink*

Reading: how to make a creamy pesto sauce

We are most definitely pro-pesto people around here.

I mean, how can you not love a herbaceous, easy, and oh-so-versatile pesto sauce?!

Bright and zesty pesto tastes just like summer. It is packed with garden-fresh basil, a hint of lemon, and lots of garlic. There is no real cooking necessary, so it’s perfect for preparing on a hot day when you don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. You can even make a large batch to keep in the fridge and enjoy for several days.

While our family is a big fan of classic basil pesto, I wanted to create a richer sauce to really elevate all of that herb-y, garlic-y goodness. This Creamy Pesto Sauce recipe features the best, bold pesto flavors we love, plus a smooth, crave-able creaminess that will make any true pesto lover rejoice!

The Best Creamy Pesto

There is no better way to describe this pesto sauce than as purely decadent.

When we say “creamy” we mean that it is actually made with cool, delicious heavy cream. Combined with pine nuts, pecorino (or parmesan) cheese, and extra-virgin olive oil, you will love how wonderfully indulgent this sauce tastes – while also being tangy and light.

The creamiest, dreamiest pesto sauce is delicious to enjoy any number of ways, like chilled as a zippy dip or tossed with pasta and served warm or cold for a satisfying dinner or side dish.

Try our recipe for Creamy Pesto Sauce and add some excitement to your favorite foods!

What Ingredients You Need

The best basil pestos are made with simple, fresh ingredients. This recipe is a great way to use up that abundance of basil you have grown this summer and includes many items you likely already have on hand.

Here is everything needed to make our Creamy Basil Pesto Sauce:

Basil leaves – main ingredient for this sauce
Pine nuts – brings in the creaminess to the recipe
Pecorino cheese – or parmesan
Garlic cloves – you can add as much or as little as you would like
Lemon zest – It brings a freshness to the recipe
Extra-virgin olive oil – oil complements the pine nuts creaminess
Heavy cream – A great combining ingredient
Salt and pepper – Season to taste

If you don’t enjoy or can’t find pine nuts, you can substitute walnuts, almonds, or pistachios in this pesto recipe for a similar mild flavor and great texture.

How To Make the Creamiest Homemade Basil Pesto

This easy pesto recipe takes only 5 minutes to make, with no cooking required!

First, set out a food processor. Place the basil leaves, pine nuts, pecorino or parmesan cheese, garlic clove, and lemon zest in the food processor. Cover the pulse until finely ground.
Then add in the extra-virgin olive oil, salt and ground pepper. Pulse again until a smooth, thick pesto sauce is formed.
Next, add the heavy cream, pulsing just a few times to incorporate the cream. If the sauce is a little too thick, you can thin it out with a bit water. Add a few drops at a time and continue to pulse until the creamy pesto is just the right consistency.
Taste, then salt and pepper as needed.

Refrigerate until ready to use, up to 5 days total.

Because it includes heavy cream, I do not recommend that you freeze this creamy sauce.

Get the Complete (Printable) Homemade Creamy Pesto Sauce Recipe Below. Enjoy!

How To Enjoy This Creamy Pesto

You want to be sure that you don’t cook the pesto sauce directly, as this would greatly change the lovely, fresh flavor. Instead, you either want to incorporate the raw pesto into cooked (and at least slightly cooled) dishes, serve chilled, or enjoy at room temperature.

This vibrant pesto sauce is perfect for serving as a cold dip with seasonal veggies, crackers, pita and/or baguette slices.

It is fantastic as a unique sandwich spread, on both cold cut sandwiches and hot paninis.

We love topping homemade pizzas with creamy pesto for a fun, fancy pizza party night.

And, of course, this creamy basil pesto sauce is excellent with many different types of pasta. Combine with a hearty pasta like fusilli or tortellini, serve warm, or chill and enjoy a refreshing pasta salad.

We recommend you make our fabulous Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta with creamy pesto as an easy weeknight meal this summer!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is This Recipe Gluten Free? Low Carb?

Yes, this recipe is completely GF-friendly. Try it with your favorite gluten-free pasta or tossed with zoodles.

While fairly high in fat, the creamiest pesto is low carb. You can enjoy it on a keto diet!

How Long Do Leftovers Last?

This recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I Freeze This Sauce?

This recipe does not do well frozen; freezing and thawing change the texture of the sauce.

What Can I Do With A Jar Of Pesto Sauce?

You can use this ingredient in many recipes, and some of those can include:

Smear on a sandwich
Mix into a salad dressing
Replace the tomato sauce on a pizza with pesto
Toss with vegetables
Mix it into dip

Looking for More Easy and Fresh Summer Recipes?

Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
Panini Sandwich with Creamy Pesto Sauce Recipe
Creamy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe
Avocado Stuffed Shells Recipe
Italian Summer Pasta with Orange and Basil Recipe
Wild Rice Salad with Blueberries and Herbs Recipe
Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Quinoa and Pine Nuts Recipe
Chicken Quinoa Bowls with Romesco Sauce Recipe
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto & Fontina Fondue Recipe

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