Aromatic Basil Cream Pasta
Enjoy a Luxurious Basil Cream Pasta at Home
Treat yourself to a special meal with this simple yet elegant basil cream pasta, perfect for those quiet moments after the kids have left for school. The delightful aroma of basil combined with a smooth, creamy sauce is truly exceptional. I’ll guide you through each step, making it easy even for beginners!
Main Ingredients- 15 pieces of ribbon pasta (approx. 150g)
- 1/2 onion
- 2 strips of thick-cut bacon
- A handful of oyster mushrooms (approx. 50g)
Sauce & Seasoning- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 200ml fresh milk
- 1 cup basil cream pesto or basil pesto (approx. 100g)
- Pinch of salt (for boiling pasta)
- Pinch of black pepper (optional)
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 200ml fresh milk
- 1 cup basil cream pesto or basil pesto (approx. 100g)
- Pinch of salt (for boiling pasta)
- Pinch of black pepper (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water to season the pasta, helping it absorb flavor as it cooks. Add the ribbon pasta and cook for about 1 minute less than the package instructions for an ‘al dente’ texture. Overcooking can make the pasta mushy when mixed with the sauce.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, prepare your ingredients. Peel and coarsely chop the onion. Cut the bacon into 1cm thick pieces. Trim the tough ends of the oyster mushrooms and either tear them into bite-sized pieces or slice them.
Step 3
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it thoroughly in a colander. Toss the drained pasta with about 1/2 Tbsp of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together. Set aside. (This step ensures the pasta remains separate and doesn’t clump.)
Step 4
Heat 2.5 Tbsp of olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the coarsely chopped onion and sauté slowly until it becomes translucent and sweet. Adding a tiny pinch of salt at this stage will enhance the onion’s flavor.
Step 5
Once the onion begins to turn translucent, add the sliced bacon and oyster mushrooms to the pan. Increase the heat to medium and cook until the bacon is slightly crispy and the mushrooms are nicely browned. Let the bacon render its fat.
Step 6
Stir in the basil cream pesto or basil pesto. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring well to coat the ingredients and release the fragrant basil aroma. (Note: The saltiness of pesto can vary, so taste and adjust seasoning later.)
Step 7
Pour in the 200ml of fresh milk. Stir to combine with the other ingredients and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Let the sauce thicken slightly for about 1-2 minutes.
Step 8
Add the pre-cooked pasta to the sauce in the pan. Gently toss with a spatula or tongs to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. Continue to cook and stir for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
Step 9
Finally, add a pinch of black pepper if desired. Your delicious basil cream pasta is ready! Serve immediately while hot. (For an extra touch, you can sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top.)
