Best 4 Easy Creamy Pesto Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey with our versatile Creamy Pesto recipe, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This creamy indulgence is not just one recipe, but a collection of culinary creations, each offering a unique twist on the classic pesto sauce. From the vibrant green of basil pesto to the nutty richness of arugula pesto, and the tangy delight of sun-dried tomato pesto, this article presents a kaleidoscope of pesto variations.

Whether you're a novice cook seeking an easy-to-follow guide or an experienced chef looking to expand your culinary horizons, our Creamy Pesto recipes cater to all skill levels. With step-by-step instructions and a treasure trove of tips, we'll guide you through the art of crafting the perfect pesto sauce, transforming ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

CREAMY PESTO SHRIMP



Creamy Pesto Shrimp image

One of our family's favorites, it's also great when made with crab meat instead of the shrimp.

Provided by Loretta Buffa

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pound linguine pasta
½ cup butter
2 cups heavy cream
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
⅓ cup pesto
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in cream, and season with pepper. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Stir Parmesan cheese into cream sauce, stirring until thoroughly mixed. Blend in the pesto, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until thickened.
  • Stir in the shrimp, and cook until they turn pink, about 5 minutes. Serve over the hot linguine.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 646 calories, Carbohydrate 43 g, Cholesterol 210.4 mg, Fat 42.5 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 23.1 g, SaturatedFat 24.3 g, Sodium 437.2 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

SIMPLE CREAMY PESTO PASTA



Simple Creamy Pesto Pasta image

Make and share this Simple Creamy Pesto Pasta recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Neonprincess

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons butter
100 g mushrooms, sliced
60 g prosciutto or 60 g ham, chopped
2 tablespoons pesto sauce
500 g penne pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons flour
3/4 cup chicken stock
3/4 cup milk
salt and pepper, to taste
1/3 cup grated cheese (cheddar, parmesan, whatever takes your fancy)

Steps:

  • Put pasta on to boil.
  • While the pasta is cooking, melt the first lot of butter and saute mushrooms, garlic and proscuitto (or ham). Remove from pan, keep warm.
  • Melt second lot of butter. Add flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  • Stir in stock and milk and cook, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens.
  • Add the mushrooms, proscuitto and cheese.
  • Stir until cheese is melted.
  • Add the pesto, salt and pepper.
  • Toss hot pasta with sauce and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 645, Fat 18.7, SaturatedFat 10.3, Cholesterol 44.3, Sodium 284, Carbohydrate 107.6, Fiber 14.1, Sugar 1.1, Protein 15

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.

CREAMY PESTO SAUCE



Creamy Pesto Sauce image

Lovingly known as just 'green spaghetti' in our family, this pesto is unique because of the addition of cream cheese which gives it a great creamy texture (plus no pine nuts!).

Provided by *DW*

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 bunch fresh basil leaves
1 cup Parmesan cheese
2 ounces cream cheese
¼ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 large clove garlic, minced

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the basil leaves and cook until tender and bright green, 2 to 5 minutes. Drain basil, reserving 2 tablespoons of the basil water.
  • Blend basil, 2 tablespoons basil water, Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, olive oil, butter, and garlic in a blender until smooth and creamy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 114.9 calories, Carbohydrate 0.9 g, Cholesterol 16.3 mg, Fat 10.9 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 3.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 147.8 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

Tips:

  • When selecting basil for your pesto, choose leaves that are a deep, vibrant green color. Avoid any leaves that are wilted or bruised.
  • Use a food processor or blender to make your pesto quickly and easily. If you don't have either of these appliances, you can chop the basil, garlic, and nuts by hand, but it will take a bit longer.
  • Pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze pesto for up to 3 months. To freeze pesto, spoon it into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen pesto cubes to a freezer-safe bag.
  • Pesto is a versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. Try it on pasta, pizza, chicken, fish, or vegetables.

Conclusion:

Creamy pesto is a delicious and versatile sauce that is easy to make at home. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give creamy pesto a try. You won't be disappointed!

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