Creamy Pesto Sauce Recipe Turns Anything Into a Fantastic Italian Dinner (4 Ingredients, 10 Minutes) Sauces/Condiments Italian Recipes Low Sugar Recipes Pasta Gluten-free

Pasta is one of my favorite meals, whether I'm cooking at home or going out to dinner. Instead of red tomato sauce, I tend to order olive oil-based sauces (think pesto) and white sauces (think alfredo sauce). So it's a no-brainer that one of my favorites combines basil pesto and cream: creamy basil pesto sauce.

You can do so much with a good creamy pesto sauce. Pasta, of course, is the go-to. Stir the sauce into spaghetti, fettuccine or any pasta, throw in some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and you have an Italian dinner beyond reproach. Unless, of course, you add chicken or shrimp. But this Italian sauce can also be spooned over chicken breast, fish or shrimp or even stirred into grains like quinoa for a delicious lunch or dinner.

You only need four simple ingredients to make this creamy pesto sauce recipe. Here is your short gluten-free shopping list: olive oil, fresh garlic, basil pesto (jarred or make homemade pesto) and heavy cream. (Check out the health benefits of pesto, the health benefits of olive oil and the health benefits of garlic.)

This easy pesto sauce recipes makes enough for about 16 ounces of pasta. One of my favorite ways to eat with a long pasta like capellini, angel hair or spaghetti topped with juicy shrimp and lots of Parmesan cheese.

Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 3/4 cups prepared basil pesto (jarred or homemade)
• 1 cup heavy cream

Here's how to make it: 

1. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
2. Pour in the pesto and cream. Cook, stirring often, over medium heat until heated through and slightly thickened, about 5 to 8 minutes, or until it reaches desired consistency.
3. Season with salt and black pepper. Use as desired. Store the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge.

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