Basil-Cream Sauce

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Like an Alfredo sauce with a little added pizazz, this easy sauce recipe is great over pasta with chicken or even to top steak and green beans. Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre-grated--the cheese will melt better for a silkier sauce.

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Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
1 cup
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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

  • 1 medium clove garlic, finely chopped

  • 1 cup unsalted chicken broth

  • ¾ cup half-and-half

  • 1 sprig fresh basil plus 2 tablespoons chopped, divided

  • 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook, whisking occasionally, until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Slowly whisk in half-and-half. Add basil sprig and cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; discard basil sprig. Stir in chopped basil, Parmesan, salt and pepper.

Tips

To make ahead: Refrigerate for up to 2 days

Recipe developed by Marianne Williams

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, March 2019

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

58 Calories
5g Fat
2g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 2 tablespoons
Calories 58
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 2g 4%
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Vitamin A 131IU 3%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Folate 4mcg 1%
Sodium 198mg 9%
Calcium 37mg 3%
Iron 0mg 1%
Magnesium 4mg 1%
Potassium 38mg 1%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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