Best 7 Creamy Cilantro Pesto Sauce Recipes

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**Creamy Cilantro Pesto Sauce: A Versatile Condiment to Elevate Your Dishes**

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of creamy cilantro pesto sauce, a versatile condiment that adds a burst of freshness and zest to a variety of dishes. This vibrant sauce combines the aromatic flavors of cilantro, the nutty richness of pine nuts, the tangy brightness of lemon juice, and the creamy smoothness of sour cream. With its vibrant green color and herbaceous aroma, cilantro pesto is a delightful addition to pasta, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and even as a flavorful spread for sandwiches and wraps. Discover the culinary magic of creamy cilantro pesto sauce through a collection of delectable recipes that showcase its versatility and transform ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CREAMY CILANTRO PESTO PASTA



Creamy Cilantro Pesto Pasta image

Provided by Marie

Categories     Main Course

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb pasta ((500 g) any shape of pasta will work here.)
1/2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves (minced)
3/4 cup half-and-half ((12% fat) or light cream (20% fat))
2 cups cilantro (packed - you can add the stems, too)
1/2 cup roasted almonds
1/4 cup red onion (chopped)
1/4 tsp crushed pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 tbsp lime juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
  • While the water is heating and pasta is cooking, make the cilantro pesto. Place all the ingredients, except olive oil, in a food processor and pulse until combined and it looks like a rough paste, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. While the food processor is running, pour olive oil in a steady stream and process until smooth.
  • When pasta is ready, save about 1/2 cup of pasta water (don't forget, it's important for the sauce!) and drain the pasta in a colander.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat, and cook garlic for 30 seconds or so, until fragrant. Pour cream and mix. Turn off the heat and stir in cilantro pesto. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat with the sauce. Add a little bit of pasta cooking water, a little bit at a time, until you reach a perfectly smooth texture. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 /4, Calories 727 kcal, Carbohydrate 93 g, Protein 20 g, Fat 31 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 17 mg, Sodium 321 mg, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 4 g

ZHOUG: SPICY CILANTRO PESTO RECIPE



Zhoug: Spicy Cilantro Pesto Recipe image

Zhoug is a lesser known Mediterranean sauce, but a must-try! Think spicy, fragrant, cilantro pesto...kinda.

Provided by The Mediterranean Dish

Categories     Sauce/Dip

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 10

6 jalapeno peppers (or hot green chiles), sliced
2 garlic cloves
salt
1 cup (packed) fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup (packed) fresh parsley
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground green cardamom
1/3 cup Early Harvest extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon, juice of

Steps:

  • In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade, add the jalapeno, garlic and salt. Coarsely chop.
  • Now add cilantro, parsley and spices. Run processor until a finer thick paste forms.
  • Transfer the cilantro paste to a bowl. Add the olive oil and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 91 calories, Sugar 2.1 g, Sodium 307 mg, Fat 8.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 3 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 1.2 g, Cholesterol 0.4 mg

FABULOUS CILANTRO PESTO



Fabulous Cilantro Pesto image

This is a delicious version of the classic with a little more zip! You can substitute the vinegar with lime juice, lemon juice or Italian salad dressing.

Provided by Gena Urias

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package farfalle pasta
1 bunch fresh cilantro
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ cup walnuts or pecans
salt to taste
½ cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and return water to a boil. Cook pasta for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain well.
  • In an electric food processor or blender, blend cilantro, garlic, vinegar, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, nuts, and salt. Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil, and blend the pesto. Add more olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
  • Pour pesto in a small saucepan and warm over low heat, stirring constantly, until pesto begins to simmer. Pour over cooked pasta and toss.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 386.1 calories, Carbohydrate 42.8 g, Cholesterol 2.8 mg, Fat 20.5 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 10.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 54.8 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

CREAMY CILANTRO PESTO SAUCE



Creamy Cilantro Pesto Sauce image

A delicious creamy topping for chicken or fish. Can be served cold or hot. I personally prefer it cold on top of hot broiled lemon pepper mahi mahi with brown rice and steamed spinach. Garnish dish with cilantro leaves after topping with sauce.

Provided by KB

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 bunch cilantro leaves
½ cup reduced-fat cream cheese
5 artichoke hearts
2 green onions, or more to taste
5 leaves fresh basil, or more to taste
2 tablespoons chopped jalapeno pepper
½ lemon, juiced
1 dash salt

Steps:

  • Blend cilantro leaves, cream cheese, artichoke hearts, green onions, basil, jalapeno pepper, lemon juice, and salt in a blender until smooth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 44.8 calories, Carbohydrate 2.7 g, Cholesterol 8.9 mg, Fat 2.9 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 2.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 152.6 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

PAN-SEARED CHICKEN WITH CILANTRO PESTO



Pan-Seared Chicken with Cilantro Pesto image

Provided by Robin Miller : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 16m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 tablespoons garlic-flavored or regular olive oil, divided
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons pine nuts
1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
3 cloves garlic, peeled

Steps:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the hot pan and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
  • Meanwhile, place the pine nuts in a small dry skillet and set over medium heat. Toast the nuts until golden brown, about 3 minutes, shaking the pan frequently to prevent burning. Transfer the pine nuts to a blender or food processor and add cilantro, sour cream, the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Process until smooth, adding water, as necessary, to create a thick paste. Serve the chicken with the pesto spooned over the top.

PESTO CREAM SAUCE



Pesto Cream Sauce image

Serve this delicious sauce over your favorite pasta for a quick, delectable meal. Do NOT substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream if you want a thick sauce. Heavy cream contains at least 36% milkfat. Half-and-half, just like the name says, is half milk and half cream and is no more than 18% milkfat. If half-and-half is used, the sauce will only be half as thick as it would if heavy cream were used. Also, if the amount of butter is reduced, that will also make the sauce thinner, as butter is 80% milkfat.

Provided by mailbelle

Categories     Sauces

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup prepared pesto sauce
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Steps:

  • Heat heavy whipping cream and water in a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
  • Add butter, pesto sauce, garlic powder and salt. Reduce heat and continue to cook about 5 more minutes over low heat.
  • Stir in 1/2 cup parmesan cheese until melted.

CILANTRO PESTO



Cilantro Pesto image

This is a wonderful twist on pesto. Sometimes the basil version gets old and you want to impress everyone at the dinner table or potluck with a tasty new version.

Provided by DragonShoes

Categories     Vegetable

Time 10m

Yield 1 cup, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup almonds
3 large garlic cloves
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Combine the cilantro, garlic and almonds in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Add the parmesan, oil and salt and puree to a smooth paste. Stir into hot pasta and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 253.9, Fat 24.3, SaturatedFat 3.6, Cholesterol 5.5, Sodium 447.3, Carbohydrate 5, Fiber 2, Sugar 1, Protein 6.3

Tips:

  • For a creamier pesto, use more olive oil or nuts.
  • Toasting the pine nuts before using will give the pesto a richer flavor.
  • If you don't have cilantro, you can substitute basil or parsley.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
  • Store the pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Conclusion:

Creamy cilantro pesto sauce is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is perfect for adding a pop of flavor to pasta, chicken, fish, or vegetables. It can also be used as a spread for sandwiches or wraps, or as a dip for appetizers. With its vibrant green color and fresh, herbaceous flavor, creamy cilantro pesto sauce is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.

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