Having a great, fresh pesto recipe is an absolute necessity in any cook’s arsenal – and you can’t get any more authentically delicious than Giada de Laurentiis’ version. When summertime rolls around, this pesto pasta is one of the first to appear on our menu. And, it’s always requested by the family!
With just a few ingredients and a food processor, this is a recipe that doesn’t need much to impress. The toasted pine nuts, farm-fresh basil, nutty parmesan, and flavorful olive oil come together in a really beautiful way – and poured over a pasta shape of your choice, it’s delish!! We’d suggest getting as high-quality, fresh ingredients as you can get your hands on. It’ll make the end product all the more tasty.
Enjoy!
Giada’s Classic Pesto
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, (plus more to taste)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until finely chopped. With the blender still running, gradually add enough oil to form a smooth and thick consistency. Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl and stir in the cheese. Season the pesto with more salt and pepper to taste.
- The pesto can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
