Rich Basil Pasta Sauce

Transform your pasta nights with this indulgent Rich Basil Pasta Sauce, a symphony of vibrant flavors and creamy textures. Featuring the bold freshness of two cups of fragrant basil leaves, the sauce is elevated by toasted pine nuts, garlic, and grated Parmesan, creating an irresistible homemade pesto base. The addition of cherry tomatoes, unsalted butter, and a splash of heavy cream lends a luscious richness to the dish, while red chili flakes provide a delightful kick. Perfectly balanced with pasta cooking water for the ideal consistency, this recipe is ready in just 25 minutes, making it a quick yet decadent choice for weeknight meals or special occasions. Serve generously over your favorite pasta and finish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil for an elegant, restaurant-quality experience right at home.

Nutriscore Rating: 45/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 0.333 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 pieces garlic cloves
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 0.25 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 0.333 cup pasta cooking water

Directions

Step 1

Wash and pat dry the fresh basil leaves. Set aside.

Step 2

Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the pine nuts for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, stirring frequently. Remove and let cool.

Step 3

In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, 2 garlic cloves, parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until finely chopped.

Step 4

With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes a smooth pesto. Scrape down the sides as needed. Set the pesto aside.

Step 5

In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the remaining garlic clove (minced) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to break down and release their juices.

Step 7

Stir in the pesto sauce and mix well with the tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes to warm through.

Step 8

Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Add the red chili flakes, black pepper, and adjust salt to taste.

Step 9

If the sauce is too thick, stir in the reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 10

Simmer the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.

Step 11

Serve the rich basil pasta sauce over your cooked pasta of choice. Garnish with additional grated parmesan and fresh basil leaves, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	500.9 grams (500.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1379

Total Fat 142.90g	183%
Saturated Fat 45.50g	228%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.80g
Cholesterol 162mg	54%
Sodium 3077mg	134%
Total Carbohydrate 13.90g	5%
Dietary Fiber 4.60g	16%
Total Sugars 4.50g
Protein 21.90g	44%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 540mg	42%
Iron 3mg	18%
Potassium 647mg	14%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 90.0%

Protein: 6.1%

Carbs: 3.9%