Recipe: Pasta with Presto Cream Sauce

Mmmmm That LOOKS SO GOOD! Perfect for Summertime picnics or just a simple dinner.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cups Fresh Basil Leaves
• ½ cups Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 3 Tablespoons Pine Nuts
• 2 cloves Garlic, Peeled
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• ⅓ cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ½ cups Heavy Cream
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• ¼ cups Grated Parmesan (additional)
• 12 ounces, weight Pasta (cavitappi, Fusili, Etc.)
• 2 whole Tomatoes, Diced

Directions:

Throw the basil into a food processor or blender.

 

Grate up some Parmesan…

 

And throw it in, too.

 

Then grab some pine nuts…

And throw some in. You can toast them in a skillet first, if you’re motivated, have the the time, and can’t eat pesto unless the pine nuts are toasted.

 

Now grab some garlic. Ain’t as good without it.

Peel the garlic and throw it in with the other beauties.

 

And finally, sprinkle in some salt and pepper.

 

Throw on the lid, turn on the machine, and drizzle in some olive oil as it mixes.

Stop when it’s all combined. Pull off the lid. Stick your nose anywhere in the general vicinity. Inhale. Reflect that nothing exists on earth that smells better after a long, dreary, lifeless, gray, drab winter than the smell of fresh basil. Then take another whiff and die from bliss.

 

Boil some pasta. I love this shape, but any pasta would also be wonderful.

 

In a small saucepan, heat up some heavy cream…

And throw in some butter.

 

When the butter is melted…

 

Throw in the pesto.

 

Oh, is this a beautiful sight. Cream. Butter. Pesto.

 

Stir it together.

 

Finally, throw a little Parmesan into the sauce. Stir it together.

 

Drain the pasta, then throw it into a serving bowl.

 

Pour the pesto cream over the top.

 

Garsh.

 

Garsh garsh garsh.

 

Finally, chop up a couple of tomatoes.

Throw ‘em right in…

 

And toss it all together. The tomatoes will be warmed by the hot pasta noodles and the cream sauce, and they’ll keep their shape because they’re not getting cooked to death.

 

Goodness. 

 

Please, my friends: get thy hands on some basil and make this soon.

 

It’ll float your boat in a major way.

Cook pasta until al dente.


Add basil leaves, 1/2 cup Parmesan, pine nuts, and salt and pepper to a food processor or blender. Turn machine on, then drizzle in olive oil while it mixes.


Continue blending until combined, adding additional olive oil if needed. Set aside.


Heat cream and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add pesto and stir.


Drain pasta and place in a serving bowl. Pour pesto cream over the top. Toss to combine. Add diced tomatoes and toss quickly. Serve immediately.

Thanks Pioneer Woman!