Basil Pesto Sauce (Pesto alla Genovese)

Fresh, fragrant and silky — by Chef David Giani

SauceVegetarian Gluten-FreeContains Dairy & Nuts
Base yield ≈ 20 servings (~2.5–3 cups)

Ingredients

  • 3 lb fresh basil leaves
  • 1.5 cups extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 4 cloves garlic, blanched
  • 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated
  • 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano, finely grated
  • Sea salt & white pepper, to taste
Tip: Keep everything cold and pulse briefly to preserve bright green color.

Preparation

  1. Chill the blender jar 10 minutes. Blanch garlic until tender; cool.
  2. Add basil, garlic, pine nuts, cheeses and half the oil to the chilled jar. Blend just until creamy; scrape as needed.
  3. Season with salt and white pepper; stream in remaining oil for desired texture.
  4. Transfer to a container. Press parchment to the surface and add a thin oil layer to prevent oxidation.
  5. Storage: Refrigerate up to 2 months (covered with oil), or vacuum-seal and freeze up to 10 months.

Dietary Icons

Vegetarian Gluten-Free Egg-Free Contains Dairy Contains Tree Nuts

Nutrition (approx. per 2 Tbsp)

Calories 190 · Fat 19g (Sat 3.5g) · Carbs 2g · Protein 3g · Sodium 160mg

Estimates only; values vary by brands and exact yield. Metric weights for nuts/cheese are culinary approximations for cup measures.

Use Suggestions

  • Toss with trofie, linguine, or potato gnocchi—loosen with pasta water.
  • Spread on grilled ciabatta with burrata and cherry tomatoes.
  • Finish grilled fish or chicken; swirl into minestrone at the end.
  • Whisk with lemon juice for a bright salad dressing.