Best Traditional Pesto Recipes

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HOMEMADE BASIL PESTO RECIPE



Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe image

This fresh basil pesto recipe is easy to make with pine nuts (or walntus), garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a generous drizzle of quality extra virgin olive oil. Make ahead and store in the fridge or freezer for later use. Be sure to read through my post and watch the video for important tips!

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Condiment

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1 to 2 clove garlic (roughly chopped)
1/3 cup pine nuts (or walnuts, toasted)
Juice of ½ lemon
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (plus more for storing)
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)

Steps:

  • Quickly blanch the basil. Prepare a bowl of ice water and set aside near your stove. Fill a small saucepan halfway with water and bring to a boil. Drop the basil leaves in the boiling water and blanch for 5 to 10 seconds or until wilted. Using tongs, transfer the basil leaves to prepared ice water to stop cooking.
  • Dry the basil very well. Pick up the basil leaves and wrap them in paper towel and squeeze to wring out all the water.
  • Make the pesto. Place the basil, garlic, pine nuts, and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade. With the processor running, slowly pour the extra virgin olive oil. Do not run the processor too long, you want to have a little bit of texture to your basil pesto.
  • Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Transfer the basil mixture to a small bowl. Add the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix to combine. If needed add a little bit more extra virgin olive oil to mix.
  • Use immediately or store for later (see notes for storage).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 93 kcal, Carbohydrate 0.6 g, Protein 1.7 g, Fat 9.6 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Cholesterol 2.8 mg, Sodium 120.8 mg, Fiber 0.2 g, Sugar 0.1 g, ServingSize 1 serving

PESTO GENOVESE | AUTHENTIC ITALIAN BASIL PESTO



Pesto Genovese | Authentic Italian Basil Pesto image

Pesto Genovese is an uncooked cold sauce made only with 7 ingredients: Genovese basil DOP, extra virgin olive oil (Possibly of the Ligurian Riviera), Parmigiano Reggiano (or Grana Padano), Pecorino cheese (Fiore Sardo), pine nuts, garlic and salt. It was born in Liguria, a beautiful region situated in northern Italy. It's one of the sauces most used in our country and nowadays it's famous all over the world.

Provided by Recipes from Italy

Categories     sauce recipes

Time 15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

50 g of small basil leaves (about 60/65 leaves)
1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
70 g (½ cup) of Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano
30 g (2 tablespoons) of Pecorino Fiore Sardo
2 peeled garlic cloves
15 g (1 tablespoon) of pine nuts
4/5 grains of coarse salt
ice

Steps:

  • Wash and dry the basil leaves very well on a kitchen towel. Place them in a food processor with garlic, pine nuts and grated Parmigiano. Chop coarsely for a few seconds then add salt and Pecorino Fiore Sardo cheese cut into small pieces. Blend all the ingredients for about 1 minute.
  • Add extra virgin olive oil. Blend for about 5 minutes, until you'll get a creamy green pesto sauce. Pesto must not heat up, so be careful to work quickly, using the food processor at minimum speed and at intervals, that is, blend a few seconds, stop and start again.
  • Before seasoning your pasta dish, if the basil pesto is too thick, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of the cooking water; this way you'll have a warm homogeneous soft pesto sauce.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 100 g, Calories 80 cal

CLASSIC PESTO



Classic Pesto image

This versatile pesto boasts a perfect basil flavor. Pair it with pasta and you've got a classic Italian dinner. -Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 10m

Yield 1 cup.

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 cups loosely packed basil leaves
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, halved
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/2 cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Place the basil, cheese, garlic and salt in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add nuts; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Store in an airtight container in the freezer up to 1 year.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 196 calories, Fat 19g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 152mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

GARDEN PESTO PASTA SALAD



Garden Pesto Pasta Salad image

My family and I live on a homestead in the Missouri Ozarks and produce much of our own food. In the summer, when the garden is bursting with fresh vegetables and it's too hot to cook, I like to use the season's veggies for pasta salads and other cool meals. -Sarah Mathews, Ava, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 cups uncooked spiral pasta (about 9 ounces)
1/2 cup prepared pesto
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium zucchini, halved and sliced
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water and drain well., Meanwhile, whisk together pesto, vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in oil until blended., Combine vegetables and pasta. Drizzle with pesto dressing; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, until cold, about 1 hour. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 217 calories, Fat 11g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 339mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

THE BEST CLASSIC PESTO



The Best Classic Pesto image

Peppery, tangy, creamy, and fresh-tasting - this pesto has it all. It's a great way to use up the bounty of your summer herb garden, and each batch will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks! Use it to dress up pasta, potatoes, eggs, sauces, marinades, or soups. Spread it on bread and top with grilled chicken and tomatoes for a delightful open-faced sandwich. Or, stir a spoonful into mayonnaise for a homemade pesto aioli.

Provided by NicoleMcmom

Categories     Pesto Sauce

Time 10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 cups packed fresh basil leaves, washed and thoroughly dried
2 large cloves garlic
¼ cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Steps:

  • Pulse basil and garlic in a food processor about 8 times until finely chopped. Add toasted pine nuts and salt; turn processor on low and drizzle olive oil through the chute until everything is incorporated. Add Parmesan cheese and lemon juice; pulse 2 times.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 354.9 calories, Carbohydrate 3.5 g, Cholesterol 8.8 mg, Fat 35.4 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 7.1 g, SaturatedFat 6.3 g, Sodium 395 mg

BASIC PESTO



Basic Pesto image

Pesto is a mouthful of bright summer - basil made more so. You can buy it in a jar or in the refrigerator section of your grocery story, but there is nothing better than making it yourself. Fresh basil can be found in abundance at farmers' markets in the summer. Just clean, take the stems off and throw the leaves in a food processor with nuts and garlic. Dribble in the oil and you've got a versatile sauce for pasta, chicken or fish.

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Categories     easy, quick, condiments, editors' pick

Time 15m

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups fresh basil leaves (no stems)
2 tablespoons pine nuts or walnuts
2 large cloves garlic
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Combine basil leaves, pine nuts or walnuts and garlic in a food processor and process until very finely minced.
  • With the machine running slowly dribble in the oil and process until the mixture is smooth.
  • Add the cheese and process very briefly, just long enough to combine. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 82, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 49 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams

PESTO GENOVESE (AUTHENTIC ITALIAN BASIL PESTO)



Pesto Genovese (Authentic Italian Basil Pesto) image

An authentic Genoese pesto. It's straight from Italy and you won't find a better recipe! This calls for a spoonful of pecorino cheese, but you could also use all Parmesan in a pinch. To store in fridge for up to 1 month: place pesto in a jar, cover with olive oil, and top with a lid.

Provided by MadameDanielaMoscaToba

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cloves garlic, or more to taste
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 bunch fresh basil leaves
½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 ½ tablespoons grated pecorino Romano cheese
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Crush garlic using a mortar and pestle. Add pine nuts; crush with the garlic. Add basil leaves gradually, making circular movements with the pestle, until a smooth paste forms.
  • Mix Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and pecorino Romano cheese using a wooden spoon. Stir in olive oil until pesto is blended.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 224.9 calories, Carbohydrate 1.4 g, Cholesterol 7.8 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 4.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, Sodium 125.1 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

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