0 from 12 votes
Traditional Basil Pesto (Pesto alla Genovese)
This traditional pesto sauce recipe (pesto alla Genovese) uses six simple ingredients and is the perfect sauce, dip and spread for your summer dishes!
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 206 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups basil leaves packed, small variety (~75 small leaves)
- 2 tablespoon pine nuts preferably toasted
- 2 cloves garlic chopped and smashed
- ⅓ cup Parmesan or Grana Padano cheese freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon salt coarse salt if possible
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Place your food processor bowl and blade in the fridge while you get the rest of the ingredients set up!
- Optional *but highly recommended: use a skillet to toast the pine nuts over medium, stirring frequently, for about 2 to 4 minutes. Let them cool.
- Wash the basil leaves and dry them thoroughly (they need to be dry!)
- Add the basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, cheese, and salt to the bowl of the food processor and pulse until a coarse mixture forms
- Now, add the olive oil slowly through the spout of the food processor and pulse to combine until a smooth sauce forms. Note: if your food processor does not have a spout through which you can pour the olive oil, just add the oil slowly and use a spatula to combine as you pour!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- If you don't have a food processor, you can use a mortar and pestle - in fact, this is how it's traditionally done in Genoa!
- Most Parmesan cheese, unfortunately, is not vegetarian (they include calf rennet). Please make sure to use vegetarian Parmesan if you'd like to keep a certain diet!
- Don't cook the pesto when you use it in pasta! Instead, boil the pasta to instructions on package, reserve ⅓ cup of pasta water (per box of pasta cooked). Add the cooked pasta to a mixing bowl, add pesto and slowly add the pasta water and toss to combine. Garnish and serve for deliciousness!
Nutrition Information
Calories
206kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
1g
(0%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Cholesterol
4mg
(1%)
Sodium
284mg
(12%)
Potassium
38mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
360IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
78mg
(8%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 206
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 206kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 4mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 284mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 38mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 360IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 78mg | 8% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.