Pesto Sauce

Pesto sauce is that iconic flavorful green sauce that makes every dish taste better. From fried eggs to sandwiches and pasta, pesto sauce will undoubtedly give your dish a bright and robust garlic flavor. 

While most people buy a jar of pesto sauce from the grocery store, many would be surprised to hear that it is actually very easy to make. Homemade pesto sauce is on an entirely different level. Just taking 5 minutes out of your day to make pesto sauce can give you the freshest, most flavorful sauce. 

As a pesto lover, I have tested many recipes over the years, and this one is my favorite. This recipe has the perfect balance of ingredients, and I love the texture and consistency of this sauce. Try it out yourself and let me know what you think! 

Where Was Pesto Invented?

Pesto sauce has been around since the 13th century and originates from Genoa, a Northern region in Italy. Many Italians say authentic pesto is only made from special Genoese basil. As a staple Italian sauce, it has traditionally been used as a pasta sauce. 

What is Pesto Sauce Made of? 

 A traditional pesto sauce is made with crushed garlic, coarse salt, basil, pine nuts, Parmigiano Reggiano, and olive oil. To make this sauce the traditional way, you can use an Italian marble mortar and a wooden pestle. This helps grind the ingredients slowly to get all the flavor. Using a mortar and pestle also prevents you from over-processing the pesto.  

What is Pesto Sauce Used For?

You can use pesto for essentially anything! This sauce is highly versatile, and it is used to provide dishes with a more earthy flavor. Pesto is traditionally added to pasta, gnocchi, lasagna, or even added to minestrone soup. It can also be used as a marinade for fish, chicken, or eaten with fried eggs. Many Caprese sandwiches also have basil pesto. 

Why is My Pesto Bitter? 

When making pesto in the food processor, it is important not to over-process the pesto. If the pesto is overprocessed and broken down too finely, it will taste bitter. Try to process the pesto slowly and allow it to have some visible pieces of basil. 

Variations of The Sauce

While this sauce with pine nuts, basil, garlic, olive oil, parmesan, and black pepper is a classic sauce, you can also make your own changes. For example, some people like to change pine nuts to almonds, walnuts, or even pistachios. You can also add or substitute the herbs with mint or cilantro for a different taste. Pesto is iconically green, but you can also make it red by adding roasted beets.