You’ve Never Tasted Real Pesto (Until Now)

pine nuts

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts provide a similar texture and flavor at a lower cost.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories and adds a cheesy flavor.

Start with the garlic and a pinch of salt in a mortar and pestle, press and swirl until it forms a paste.

Add the pine nuts to the garlic paste and continue to press and swirl until incorporated.

Add a generous amount of fresh basil to the mixture and press and swirl again.

Incorporate both parmesan and pecorino cheese into the mixture, pressing and swirling until combined.

Slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the mixture turns creamy and thick.

If using a blender, add garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil, and pulse until smooth, being careful not to over-blend to avoid overheating.

Add fresh basil to the blender and place the bowl in an ice bath, then pulse until combined.

Add the cheese to the blender and pulse slowly until fully incorporated.

Boil pasta halfway in water, then finish cooking in a pan, adding starchy pasta water as needed.

Once the pasta is cooked, let it cool slightly, then mix in the pesto sauce until well combined.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens