Savory Garlic Basil Pesto Alfredo Delight
Indulge in a luxurious blend of creamy Alfredo sauce infused with aromatic garlic, sautéed mushrooms, and vibrant basil pesto. This versatile sauce tantalizes the taste buds, making it perfect for drizzling over al dente pasta, succulent seafood, or grilled chicken. With a delightful balance of flavors and textures, this Alfredo sauce elevates any dish to gourmet status. Easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time, this recipe is a must-have for quick weeknight dinners or elegant gatherings.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
3 1/2 tablespoons (divided (1 tablespoon for sautéing, 2 1/2 tablespoons for roux))
onion
1/2 medium (minced)
garlic
4 cloves (minced)
mushroom
1/4 cup (minced)
white wine
1/2 cup (none)
flour
1/3 cup (none)
milk
1 cup (none)
heavy cream
1 cup (none)
basil pesto
4 tablespoons (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon (none)
Tabasco sauce
1/2 teaspoon (none)
parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
pepper
to taste (freshly cracked)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
2
Add the minced onion, garlic, and mushrooms; sauté until the mixture is soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Pour in the white wine and allow it to simmer on low heat until reduced by three-quarters, approximately 10 minutes.
4
In a separate large saucepan, melt 2 1/2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
5
Once melted, stir in the flour to create a smooth roux, cooking for 2-3 minutes to eliminate any raw flour taste.
6
Gradually whisk in the milk, mixing slowly at first to prevent lumps; whisk vigorously until smooth.
7
Once the milk mixture is smooth, pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine.
8
Add the basil pesto, salt, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, and the reserved mushroom-onion-garlic-wine mixture. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
9
Season with freshly cracked pepper to taste.
10
Finally, stir in the grated parmesan cheese until fully melted and blended, then remove from heat.
11
This sauce can be made in advance; simply reheat gently over low heat, stirring as needed, or microwave for 30 seconds.
12
Drizzle generously over your favorite dish for an extra decadent touch. Enjoy with pasta, seafood, or grilled chicken.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Garlic Basil Pesto Alfredo Delight?
It is a luxurious, creamy Alfredo sauce infused with aromatic garlic, sautéed mushrooms, and vibrant basil pesto.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 4 servings.
What are the main protein pairings for this sauce?
This sauce is perfect for drizzling over succulent seafood, grilled chicken, or serving with al dente pasta.
How much butter is required for this recipe?
A total of 3 1/2 tablespoons of butter is used, divided into 1 tablespoon for sautéing and 2 1/2 tablespoons for the roux.
What type of onion should be used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 of a medium onion, minced.
How many garlic cloves are in the sauce?
There are 4 cloves of minced garlic used in this recipe.
How should the mushrooms be prepared?
You should use 1/4 cup of minced mushrooms.
What is the purpose of the white wine?
The white wine is simmered and reduced to concentrate its flavor and add depth to the sauce.
How long do I sauté the onion, garlic, and mushrooms?
Sauté the mixture over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until soft and fragrant.
How much should the white wine be reduced?
The wine should be simmered on low heat until it is reduced by three-quarters, which takes approximately 10 minutes.
What ingredients make up the roux?
The roux is made by stirring 1/3 cup of flour into 2 1/2 tablespoons of melted butter.
How long should the flour and butter cook?
Cook the roux for 2-3 minutes to eliminate any raw flour taste.
How should I add the milk to the roux?
Gradually whisk in the milk, mixing slowly at first to prevent lumps, then whisk vigorously until smooth.
When is the heavy cream added?
Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream once the milk and roux mixture is smooth.
How much basil pesto is needed?
The recipe requires 4 tablespoons of basil pesto.
What additional seasonings are included in the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with salt, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, and freshly cracked pepper.
What type of cheese is used in this Alfredo?
1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese is stirred in at the end.
When should the parmesan cheese be added?
Add the parmesan cheese as the final step and stir until it is fully melted and blended.
Can this sauce be made ahead of time?
Yes, the sauce can be made in advance and reheated gently over low heat or in the microwave.
What is the microwave reheating instruction?
You can reheat the sauce in the microwave for 30 seconds.
Is this recipe suitable for weeknight dinners?
Yes, it is easy to prepare and perfect for quick weeknight dinners or elegant gatherings.
How many ingredients are in the recipe?
There are 14 total ingredients listed in the recipe.
What kind of pepper is recommended?
Freshly cracked pepper is recommended to season the sauce to taste.
What level of heat should be used for simmering the wine?
The wine should be simmered on low heat.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include pasta sauce, alfredo sauce, garlic sauce, pesto sauce, and creamy sauce, among others.
Is this dish considered Italian cuisine?
Yes, it is tagged as Italian cuisine.
What does 'al dente' mean for the pasta pairing?
It refers to pasta cooked to be firm to the bite, which pairs best with this decadent sauce.
How much Worcestershire sauce is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
Does this recipe contain spice?
Yes, it includes 1/2 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce for a slight kick.
What is the preparation for the flour?
The flour requires no preparation and is used to create a smooth roux.