6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
7. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh basil if desired.
Variations & Tips
For a vegan version, substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or a cashew cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. You might also add some roasted red peppers for a slightly different, smoky flavor. If you’re looking for a protein boost, add some cooked, shredded chicken or cooked Italian sausage in the final hour of cooking. For a different herb profile, consider adding some thyme or rosemary. Finally, blending in a handful of fresh spinach at the end will add color and nutrients without altering the taste significantly.