After a hattrick-busy day, in the evening at home, you’re craving something flavourful yet quick and easy to cook. And your mind began imagining the comforting aroma of freshly cooked pasta paired with a creamy buttery sauce. Each pasta strand is covered with a delicious blend of flavours. But not with any ordinary sauce.
Tempting? Of course! AH! Every time after that thinking, my brain only clicks for pesto butter pasta. Let’s start elevating the pasta game with a twist recipe of pesto butter sauce.
How to make pesto butter sauce for pasta?
You know pesto butter sauce is the most straightforward sauce made with minimal ingredients, and sometimes, by using fewer ingredients tastes a lot better than overuse. You can store pesto sauce in the fridge and enjoy its delicious flavour for a week. The twist is that, considering the health factor, I’m adding half a bunch of kale. I bet no one will know it’s there. Promise!
Let’s toss pasta with pesto and browned butter for dinner. It sounds so satisfying!
Ingredients for pesto butter sauce:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Butter | 4 tablespoons |
| Fresh kale | 2 cups |
| Parmesan cheese | 1 cup freshly grated |
| Pine nuts | 1/4 cup toasted |
| Garlic | 1 clove |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 4 tablespoons |
| kosher salt | according to taste |
| Black pepper | 1 teaspoon freshly cracked |
| Bucatini pasta | 1 pound |
| Red pepper flakes | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Lemon | 1 zest |
| Basil leaves | A few leaves |
Directions to cook pesto butter sauce for pasta:
1. Put the thick-bottom saucepan over the stove. Add butter to the pan and melt it over medium heat until browned. Set aside.
2. Combine the parmesan, kale leaves, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until combined.
3. pour cool-melted butter into the food processor with other ingredients, and pulse again until you get the smooth-textured sauce. Season with pepper and salt according to preference.
Your pesto butter sauce for pasta is ready in just three simple steps.
How to make pesto butter pasta?
Pasta selection: I used bucatini pasta because it pairs well with pesto butter sauce due to its hearty and rich texture. But you can use any pasta, depending on personal preference, to get the desired texture of the dish.
Cook pasta: In a large pot of boiling water, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pasta. Cook until done.
Do you know how to boil perfect al-dente pasta?
Hmmm What?
Don’t worry; you can find the best method to boil perfect al-dantle pasta on this website.
Tossing into the sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the buttery pesto sauce and let it bubble gently over medium to low heat for a minute or two. Add a splash of pasta water if the sauce is sticking to the pan.
Serving: Garnish with basil leaves and serve hot pasta with crushed red pepper and lemon zest.
Ta-dah! Creamy, smooth, velvety-textured pesto butter pasta is ready! Enjoy.
How is this pesto butter sauce different?
- Earthy, nutty and umami -rich parmesan cheeseis the star of this particular recipe.
- Adding a bunch of kale makes this recipe healthier.
- Melted butter adds a rich and luxurious flavour to pesto pasta, enhancing the overall taste and making it more enjoyable.
- Fresh lemon juice ideally increases its blended flavours.
- With a few ingredients, it takes 20 minutes to start and finish this recipe.
Frequently asked questions
What is pesto butter made of?
Combine the parmesan, basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until combined. Add melted butter to the bowl and blend again with the basil mixture. Then add salt and black pepper.
What pasta goes with pesto sauce?
It’s important to select a pasta shape that will be manageable for pasta sauces. For oil-based sauces, pesto goes well with longer pasta cuts, like the corkscrew shape of Fusilli. Pesto can also be served with Capellini, thicker spaghetti and Bucatini.
Is pesto sauce healthy?
Pesto can be high in calories and fat because its ingredients include olive oil, nuts, and cheese. But in some ways, the primary unsaturated fat is healthy for your heart. The antioxidant ingredients in pesto also prevent your cells from damage.
