Pesto alla Genovese: Easy Family Recipe
Pesto alla Genovese is one of the simplest accompaniments to pasta and it’s rare to find a child who doesn’t love it.
A jar of store-bought pesto can be a lifesaver when you’ve run out of supper ideas; but it’s just as easy, more affordable and infinitely more delicious to make your own.
Originating in Genoa, the traditional sauce combines handpicked basil leaves, parmesan, pine nuts, garlic and olive oil to create an aromatic blend that goes beautifully with pasta al dente. The Genovesi are known for chucking a peeled potato in to boil along with the pasta, then chopping the potato into chunks and tossing it together with the pesto and pasta. You might also find some cooked string beans added to the dish.
Our Villa Pia chefs suggest creating this easy family recipe for Pesto alla Genovese quickly with a mixer, but you can also grind the ingredients together with a pestle and mortar to really bring out the flavours!
Pesto alla Genovese: Easy Family Recipe
Ingredients: 1 clove of garlic
4 sprigs of basil
3 dessert spoonfuls of pinenuts
6 dessert spoonfuls of parmesan
1 cup of olive oil
In a magimix or handheld mixer whizz up all the ingredients starting with the basil, then garlic, pinenuts and the oil. When you have a smooth paste add the parmesan and salt. Serve with pasta al dente. Buon appetito!
I love pesto and this recipe looks gorgeous, can’t wait to give it a go!
Thanks Rachael for stopping by, we are big fans of pesto too. Let us know how you get on, it’s super simple and delicious!
Gorgeous, I follow a similar recipe but exclude the nuts. Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays x
Hi Honest Mum, that’s the great thing about pesto, the ingredients are so basic you can easily mix it up and create something wonderful. Thanks for hosting the link-up!
We absolutely love pesto here but have to avoid garlic and dairy! What a nightmare. I’ve had to make my own without those and luckily I (mostly) get away with it. I love your photo – so fresh!
That sounds terrific, we would love to see your recipe — and what an intriguing concept you have!
I love pesto but I have to confess it always comes in a jar in my house. Must try your recipe!
Hi Mel, you can find some great jarred pesto but nothing beats pesto made from scratch. Let us know how you get on with the recipe!