Ingredients
Pasta
- 1/2 pound pasta
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 4 cloves of garlic (grated or finely minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Boil pasta: Boil a large pot of water over high heat. Season the water generously with kosher salt, then cook the pasta according to the manufacturer’s instructions until al dente.
- Sauté garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the salted butter and grated or minced garlic. Cook for 30 to 60 seconds, stirring frequently, until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned.
- Prepare sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, milk, and pesto into the skillet. Stir well and cook for about 1 minute to warm the mixture through. Then, reduce the heat to low and add the grated parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Using tongs, transfer the cooked pasta directly from the boiling water into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to combine and coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce feels too thick, add some reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pesto pasta while warm. Garnish with extra grated parmesan cheese if desired, and enjoy immediately.
- Additional tips: Refer to the recipe notes for helpful tips on ingredient substitutions and FAQs to enhance your cooking experience.
Notes
- Use salted butter to add a richer flavor, or unsalted if you prefer more control over salt levels.
- Grating or finely mincing the garlic ensures it blends well into the sauce without large pieces.
- You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and milk mixture for a lighter sauce.
- Adding some reserved pasta water helps loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
- Use fresh pesto for the best flavor, but store-bought works well in a pinch.
- For a vegetarian meal, ensure your parmesan cheese is vegetarian-friendly or substitute with nutritional yeast.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
