Go Back
Delicious bowl of Basil Cream Sauce drizzled over pasta and garnished with fresh basil leaves

Basil Cream Sauce

A creamy and flavorful basil cream sauce that elevates any pasta dish into an extraordinary experience.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Pasta, Sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons Avocado Oil Can replace with olive oil if needed.
  • 1 count Shallot, finely diced Yellow onion can work in a pinch.
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced Use more or less as preferred.
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream Substitute with coconut cream for a vegan version.
  • 1 tablespoon Flour Use gluten-free flour as a substitute.
  • 1 cup Fresh Basil, finely chopped Fresh is preferred over dried basil.
  • 1 tablespoon Pine Nuts Omit if nut-free or substitute with sunflower seeds.
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh Lemon Zest Adds freshness to the sauce.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Adjust based on personal preference.
  • 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional) Omit if a milder sauce is preferred.
  • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper Feel free to add more for extra kick.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the finely diced shallot and sauté for about 1 minute until aromatic.
  2. Mince the garlic and add it to the skillet, cooking for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the heavy cream (or coconut cream) and sprinkle the flour over the mixture. Allow it to cook down for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens sufficiently to coat the back of a spoon.
Blending the Sauce
  1. Meanwhile, in a heat-proof blender or food processor, combine fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and a few garlic cloves. Pulse to mix.
  2. Drizzle in the remaining tablespoon of avocado oil to emulsify the sauce and blend until smooth.
  3. Transfer half a cup of the cream sauce from the skillet to the blender, and blend again until fully combined. Add this mixture back to the skillet.
  4. Incorporate the lemon zest, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper into the sauce, stirring to combine.
Serving
  1. Serve the Basil Cream Sauce generously over your favorite pasta, and enjoy!

Notes

Burn garlic quickly and over medium heat to prevent bitterness. Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. The sauce should simmer softly to maintain its texture.