Crafting the Perfect Homemade Creamy Pesto Pasta Sauce

The heart of this extraordinary dish lies in its lusciously smooth and flavorful creamy pesto sauce. Far from intimidating, our approach to this sauce is wonderfully straightforward, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet foundation. It starts with a vibrant, homemade basil pesto, which we believe is crucial for the freshest, most authentic flavor. While store-bought pesto can be a convenient substitute, crafting your own allows for unparalleled control over the taste, letting you customize the intensity of garlic, the nuttiness of pine nuts, or the sharpness of Parmesan cheese. This customization ensures your sauce perfectly matches your palate.

The magic happens when this aromatic pesto is gently folded into a perfectly reduced cream. Reducing the cream is a simple yet vital step, concentrating its richness and creating a luxurious, thick base that clings beautifully to every strand of pasta. This process transforms a thin liquid into a velvety canvas, ready to embrace the herbaceous notes of the pesto. The resulting sauce is not just creamy; it’s a harmonious blend of earthy basil, savory garlic, nutty cheese, and the opulent embrace of perfectly thickened cream. It’s a versatile sauce, easy enough for a weeknight but sophisticated enough for special occasions, always delivering an incredibly tasty experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

We adore this sauce with various pasta shapes, but there’s something particularly satisfying about how it complements casarecce pasta, as pictured. Its unique twisted shape is ideal for capturing and holding every drop of the rich sauce. However, feel free to experiment with your favorite pasta – linguine, fettuccine, penne, or even a delicate ravioli would be fantastic choices. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try making your own pasta from scratch, our homemade pasta recipe offers a comprehensive guide to finding your perfect shape and texture. The right pasta can truly elevate this dish, providing the perfect vehicle for the creamy pesto and tender scallops.

Achieving Perfectly Seared Scallops Every Time

When it comes to scallops, achieving that perfect sear is key to unlocking their exquisite flavor and delicate texture. We’ve often observed scallops being overcooked, which, unfortunately, transforms this magnificent treat from the sea into a rubbery disappointment. A properly seared scallop should boast a beautiful golden-brown crust on the outside, while remaining incredibly tender, moist, and slightly translucent in the center. Its natural flavor is subtly sweet, with a delicate hint of the ocean, and the texture should be soft and almost melt-in-your-mouth, never chewy or dense.

To ensure culinary success, starting with high-quality scallops is paramount. Look for “dry-packed” scallops, which haven’t been treated with phosphates, as these can release excess water and make it nearly impossible to achieve a good sear. Always pat your scallops thoroughly dry with paper towels before cooking; moisture is the enemy of a crisp crust. A screaming hot pan, preferably cast iron or heavy-bottomed stainless steel, is essential. Heat a tablespoon of high-smoke-point oil (like olive oil or avocado oil) until shimmering, then add the seasoned scallops in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding will lower the pan’s temperature and steam the scallops instead of searing them.

Sear the scallops for about 60-90 seconds per side, depending on their thickness. You’ll know they’re ready when they release easily from the pan and have developed a gorgeous caramelized crust. Flip them once and sear for another minute or so. The goal is to achieve that delightful caramelization on both sides while preserving the tender interior. For an even deeper dive into how to buy fresh scallops, what specific characteristics to look for, and a detailed breakdown of expert cooking tips, we highly recommend checking out our dedicated post on Perfectly Seared Scallops. Mastering this technique will transform your seafood dishes.

Versatile Variations and Serving Suggestions

While the classic basil pesto is undeniably delicious, this recipe serves as a fantastic canvas for culinary exploration. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different types of pesto to tailor the dish to your preference or what you have on hand. For a unique twist, consider a vibrant sun-dried tomato pesto, offering a richer, slightly tangy profile that beautifully complements the sweet scallops. A spinach or kale pesto can introduce a lovely earthy flavor and an extra boost of greens, while a cilantro-lime pesto could infuse a refreshing, zesty kick. If you’re looking for an exotic culinary journey, try this Thai Basil Pesto recipe, which pairs wonderfully with this dish, perhaps even incorporating shrimp for a Thai Basil Pesto Pasta with Shrimp variation.

Beyond pesto, this recipe is adaptable to other proteins. While scallops are the star, perfectly seared shrimp, pan-fried chicken breast, or even grilled salmon would be delightful alternatives. For a vegetarian option, consider adding sautéed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or roasted vegetables like asparagus or bell peppers to the creamy pesto pasta. To complete your meal, serve this dish with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette, or a side of crusty garlic bread to soak up every last drop of the exquisite sauce. A glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio would make an ideal wine pairing, enhancing the seafood and fresh herbal notes.

More Delicious Recipes to Explore

We pour our passion into creating and sharing delicious recipes with you. If you’ve enjoyed this Creamy Pesto Pasta with Seared Scallops, we encourage you to explore more of our culinary creations. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us! If you give this recipe a try, please leave us a comment below to share your experience, or tag us on Instagram @cooking_with_wine! We love seeing your culinary triumphs.

Looking for more seafood pasta or gourmet ideas? Check out these fantastic recipes:

• Seared Scallop Pasta with Vanilla Grapefruit Cream Sauce
• Scallops with Golden Romesco Sauce and Black Rice
• Basil Gnocchi with Yellow Tomato Sauce and Shrimp
• The Best Homemade Shrimp Scampi

📖 Recipe

Creamy Pesto Pasta with Seared Scallops

You will love this creamy homemade basil pesto sauce over your favorite pasta with delicious seared scallops! Check it out!

Print Recipe
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Prep Time

15 minutes
mins

Cook Time

35 minutes
mins

Total Time

50 minutes
mins

Course
Dinner

Cuisine
Italian

Servings

4
servings

Calories

769
kcal

Ingredients

For the Pesto Cream Sauce

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup basil pesto

For the Scallops and Pasta

• 12 large sea scallops
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 ounces pasta of your choice (we recommend casarecce, linguine or fettuccine)
• basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Creamy Pesto Sauce

1. Bring the cream to a simmer in a large skillet. Cook gently on low to medium-low heat until the cream has thickened and reduced by almost half (approximately 15-20 minutes). Set aside and keep warm (not hot).
2. Add the pesto to the reduced cream and stir to thoroughly combine. The mixture should be warm, but not extremely hot.

Make the Pasta and Scallops

3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a small handful of kosher salt. Add the pasta following the package cooking directions to al dente. While it cooks, prepare your scallops.
4. Heat a nonstick pan or cast-iron skillet on high or medium high until the pan very hot. Dust the scallops with a little salt and pepper on both sides. Add the olive oil to the pan to coat the bottom. Add the scallops for about 60-90 seconds per side, depending on their thickness. You should have caramelization when finished on each side.
5. Drain the pasta and transfer to a large serving bowl with the creamy pesto mixture. Combine and plate, adding scallops to each plate. You can reserve some of the creamy pesto and drizzle on top of the scallops if desired. Garnish with additional Parmigiano Reggiano and a basil leaf.

Nutrition

Calories: 769kcal
Carbohydrates: 49g
Protein: 23g
Fat: 54g
Saturated Fat: 29g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
Monounsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0.01g
Cholesterol: 157mg
Sodium: 559mg
Potassium: 450mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 5g
Vitamin A: 1963IU
Vitamin C: 1mg
Calcium: 122mg
Iron: 1mg

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