• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Mandy Jackson logo

  • Recipes
  • Our Home
  • Kitchen Favorites
  • About
    • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Our Home
  • Kitchen Favorites
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Pasta in Basil Cream Sauce

    Aug 1, 2019 · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    Basil Cream Sauce is so simple to make and is SO satisfying! Lots of fresh basil flavor in a creamy, luxurious sauce.

    Basil Cream Sauce | This is like a creamy pesto, and is PERFECT for all that fresh summer basil. Lots of flavor from basil, garlic, and parmesan with the most perfect creamy texture. This is a super easy pasta dish that feels so fancy!

    For as much as I love every individual ingredient in pesto, combine them all together and it is just a BIG swing and a miss for me.

    I'm pretty sure it's a texture thing. I want it to be creamy! but it is always sort of gritty and I don't want grit on my pasta.

    Basil cream sauce is my solution to the pesto problem. A lot of pesto-esque flavor, but in creamy form.

    Key Ingredients

    • Pasta, of course! Use whatever shape you like. This sauce has a similar texture to alfredo, so a fettuccini is nice, but it's hearty enough for a penne or a rigatoni. Whatever shape you choose, stick to the amount listed in the recipe.
    • Cream. A key element in the creamy texture. You can dial it back to half and half, but your sauce won't be quite as creamy.
    • Fresh basil. A full 2 cups of fresh leaves. This sauce is truly every basil-lover's dream!
    • Parmesan. For a boost in creaminess and delicious parmesan flavor. I use 6 ounces from a wedge (it melts better than the pre-shredded variety). Just cut it into cubes and let the food processor do the rest!

    How to Make Basil Cream Sauce

    I need to tell you! This is my ideal meal in the amount of work it takes to make : fanciness ratio. It is basically just blending and cooking noodles and heating dairy products up. It takes maybe half an hour, but feels like a really special dinner.

    Cook noodles in generously salted water according to package directions.

    Melt butter in a large pan and add the cream to heat.

    Pulse together the basil, garlic, and parmesan in a food processor until coarsely ground, then add it to the heated cream. Stir to combine, then add the cooked and strained noodles.

    The heat from the noodles and cream will melt the parmesan without overheating the basil. Fresh basil flavor in creamy form. Yum!

    Jazzing It Up

    This is a filling meal on its own, but is also very good with add-ins! Grilled shrimp or chicken, roasted red peppers, or chopped tomatoes jazz things up. And parmesan. Always add more parmesan.

    Basil Cream Sauce | This is like a creamy pesto, and is PERFECT for all that fresh summer basil. Lots of flavor from basil, garlic, and parmesan with the most perfect creamy texture. This is a super easy pasta dish that feels so fancy!

    Making Ahead

    This is an easy sauce to make in advance as it reheats nicely. Remove the sauce from the heat after stirring in the basil, parmesan, and garlic. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    To reheat, transfer to a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. You may need to add a splash of cream to loosen it up. Stir in the hot noodles.

    Serve this With:

    • A caesar salad with this caesar dressing. You can make it ahead - it will get even creamier!
    • A make-ahead or last-minute garlic bread. You can assemble this ahead, and toss it in the oven when you're ready.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Basil Cream Sauce

    A simple cream sauce that is SO satisfying! Lots of fresh basil flavor in a creamy, luxurious sauce.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 4
    Author: Mandy Jackson

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces pasta (see note)
    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
    • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
    • 4 garlic cloves
    • 6 ounces parmesan cheese, chopped
    • Salt and pepper

    Directions

    • Cook noodles in generously salted water according to package directions.
      Melt butter in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add cream to heat.
      Combine basil, garlic, and parmesan in a food processor until coarsely ground. Add to the pan with the cream and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and stir in noodles. Salt and pepper to taste.

    Notes

    Pasta - Choose whatever you like! Long noodles and shapes all work well here.

    You Might Also Like

    « Making My Summer Dreams Come True: Outdoor Party String Lights Edition
    Classic Chocolate Cake with Homemade Chocolate Buttercream »

    let's stay in touch!

    sign up to get fresh posts delivered straight to your inbox + an ebook of our all time favorite 7 cookie recipes!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Mandy Jackson

    hi, i'm mandy.

    A regular Midwest homebody. Here, I share recipes we love, and how we're thoughtfully renovating our 100-year-old American foursquare.

    Learn more about me.

    Top Posts

    • Sharing a Room with Baby
    • Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • French Apple Tart
    • Creamy Mexican Corn Dip
    • Sheet Pan Quesadillas

    Eat the Seasons

    bowl of chili topped with sour cream and green onion

    A Not-Soupy Beef Chili (AKA, My Favorite Chili!)

    Bowl of soup topped with bacon and served with rolls.

    Broccoli Bacon Cheddar Soup

    baking dish of bubble up chicken pot pie

    Bubble Up Chicken Pot Pie

    hot chocolate in a mug with whipped cream

    Bulk Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

    Winter

    let's stay in touch!

    sign up to get fresh posts delivered straight to your inbox + an ebook of our all time favorite 7 cookie recipes!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Footer

    let's stay in touch!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • Contact

    Copyright © 2023 Mandy Jackson on the Seasoned Pro Theme