Creamy Pesto Pasta Sauce with Burrata and Toasted Pine Nuts Recipe
This Creamy Pesto Pasta Sauce combines the fresh, vibrant flavors of homemade pesto with a rich, velvety cream sauce. Served with casarecce pasta, topped with burrata and toasted pine nuts, it offers a luxurious yet simple Italian-inspired meal perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 200 g dried casarecce pasta
- 3-4 tbsp double cream
- Burrata cheese, to serve
- Extra toasted pine nuts, to serve
For the Pesto
- 100 g pine nuts, toasted
- 100 g fresh basil leaves, with a handful reserved for garnish
- 200 ml olive oil
- 1 garlic clove (optional)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
- 70 g grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dried casarecce pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving a small cup of pasta water.
- Make the pesto: Toast the pine nuts gently in a dry pan until golden and fragrant, then allow to cool. In a food processor, combine toasted pine nuts, basil leaves (except a handful reserved), olive oil, garlic clove (if using), lemon zest and juice, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth. Season with salt to taste.
- Combine cream and pesto: In a large mixing bowl or pan, mix 3-4 tablespoons of double cream with the prepared pesto, adjusting for desired creaminess. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained pasta to the creamy pesto sauce, tossing well to coat the pasta evenly. Warm gently on stove if needed to combine flavors, but avoid boiling.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pesto pasta, topping each serving with a generous piece of burrata cheese and sprinkle over extra toasted pine nuts and reserved basil leaves for garnish. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can omit the garlic for a milder pesto flavor if preferred.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- For a vegan version, substitute double cream with a plant-based cream and replace Parmesan with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning and bitterness.
