This Creamy Pesto Alfredo Sauce is rich, creamy, loaded with garlic, Parmesan, and basil pesto and comes together in about 20 minutes for an easy restaurant-quality pasta dinner.
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
If you're anything like me, you'll never turn down a big bowl of creamy pasta. This Creamy Pesto Alfredo Sauce takes a classic Alfredo and gives it an incredible twist with basil pesto, making it extra flavorful without adding a ton of extra work. The combination of butter, garlic, Parmesan, cream cheese, and pesto creates one of the creamiest sauces you'll ever make.
I love keeping this recipe in my back pocket because it's perfect for busy weeknights, date nights at home, or whenever I need a comforting dinner that feels special. Toss it with your favorite pasta and dinner is served in under 30 minutes.
Why You'll Love It
- Rich and Ultra Creamy - Cream cheese and heavy cream make this unbelievably smooth.
- Packed with Garlic Flavor — Fresh garlic plus garlic powder gives every bite incredible flavor.
- Easy to Make - Just one skillet and a few simple ingredients.
- Restaurant Worthy - It tastes like something you'd order at your favorite Italian restaurant.
Ingredients
Here's everything you'll need to make this delicious recipe. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements on the recipe card below.
- Butter - Creates the rich base for the sauce.
- Fresh Garlic - Adds bold, savory flavor.
- Cream Cheese - Makes the sauce extra silky and creamy.
- Heavy Cream - Gives the Alfredo its luxurious texture.
- Parmesan Cheese - Adds salty, cheesy goodness while thickening the sauce.
- Prepared Basil Pesto - The star ingredient that brings fresh basil flavor.
- Garlic Powder - Boosts the garlic flavor throughout the sauce.
- Salt & Black Pepper - Season to taste.
- Pasta - Use your favorite shape.
- Reserved Pasta Water - Helps loosen the sauce and makes it cling perfectly to the pasta.
How To Make It
Here's everything you'll need to make this delicious pasta. You can find the full ingredients list along with instuctions on the recipe card below.
- Melt the butter in a large lipped skillet and add the chopped garlic. Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes over medium high heat. Add the softened cream cheese and heavy cream and stir that in until the cream cheese is melted in to the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and garlic power and stir it in until the Parmesan is melted.
- Stir in the pesto sauce until the sauce is nice and smooth. Stir in a ladle of pasta water into the sauce and reason it if you think it needs it. Add the pasta and gently toss it into the sauce until its evenly combined. Serve and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Let the cream cheese come to room temperature so it melts smoothly.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Don't let the garlic brown or it can become bitter.
- Pasta water helps emulsify the sauce and gives it a silky finish.
- Add pasta water a little at a time until you reach the consistency you like.
- Toss the pasta directly in the sauce instead of pouring the sauce over the pasta.
Variations
- Add grilled chicken for a complete meal.
- Stir in sautéed mushrooms.
- Add baby spinach during the last minute of cooking.
- Toss in cooked shrimp for an easy seafood pasta.
- Sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Finish with fresh basil leaves for even more pesto flavor.
What To Serve This With
This creamy pasta pairs perfectly with homemade garlic bread, roasted broccoli, asparagus, grilled chicken, shrimp, or even a simple side salad. It's also delicious alongside grilled steak or baked salmon for an elevated dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Warm gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk, heavy cream, or reserved pasta water until smooth and creamy again. Avoid high heat to prevent the sauce from separating.
Other Easy Pasta Recipes
Theres nothing hits the spot better than a nice, big bowl of pasta! I've rounded up all my Best Pasta Recipes so you can find them easily in one place. Try them with some Homemade Garlic Bread.
Creamy Pesto Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Stick Butter
- 5 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 4 Oz Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese
- ¼ Cup pesto sauce
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Pound Pasta Of Your Choice
- 1 Ladel Pasta Water
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large lipped skillet and add the chopped garlic. Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes over medium high heat.
- Add the softened cream cheese and heavy cream and stir that in until the cream cheese is melted in to the sauce.
- Add in the grated Parmesan cheese and garlic power and stir it in until the Parmesan is melted.
- Stir in the pesto and a a ladle of pasta water. Taste and reason it if you think it needs it. Serve the sauce over the pasta of your choice and enjoy!
Video
Other Pesto Recipes
If you like super easy to make recipes using premade pesto suauce like this one, you have to try this 4 Ingredient Pesto Chicken, Creamy Tomato Pesto Spaghetti & Baked Italian Sunset Pasta.
Al Dente Diva says
Thank you!
kj says
Amazing
Joanna says
Can we get the pesto repcipe you friend made in your video ?
Anonymous says
SOOOO GOODDD
Anonymous says
Thank you. It looks delicious.