Rich, fresh, and ready in minutes
If you’ve ever wanted a sauce that makes everything taste better… this is it.
This creamy pesto sauce is smooth, rich, and packed with fresh basil flavour, balanced with garlic, lemon, and a touch of cream for that silky finish.
Perfect for pasta, chicken, vegetables, or even as a dip.
Why You’ll Love This
- Ready in under 10 minutes
- Fresh, vibrant flavour
- Creamy without being heavy
- Works with pasta, chicken, or veg
- Tastes like restaurant-quality at home
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves (packed)
- ½ cup pine nuts
- ½ cup grated pecorino cheese or parmesan
- 1 clove garlic (peeled)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¾ – 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Blend the base
In a food processor, add basil, pine nuts, cheese, garlic, and lemon zest.
Blend until finely chopped.
2. Add olive oil
Slowly pour in olive oil while blending until smooth and combined.
3. Make it creamy
Transfer to a pan on low heat.
Stir in heavy cream gradually until you reach your desired consistency.
4. Season
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Adjust lemon or cheese if needed.
5. Serve
Toss with pasta, drizzle over chicken, or use as a dip.
Tips That Make This Better
- Use fresh basil for the best flavour
- Don’t overheat once cream is added
- Add pasta water if thinning for pasta
- Swap pine nuts for walnuts if needed
How to Use This
- Toss through pasta
- Spoon over grilled chicken
- Spread on sandwiches
- Drizzle over roasted veg
This recipe was inspired by the wonderful A Spicy Perspective.
