Skip to main content

BA’s Best Pesto

BAs Best Pesto recipe
Photo by Alex Lau

This bright, herbaceous pesto makes pretty much everything taste better. More than just a booster forpasta, pesto is a truly versatile addition to any condiment arsenal, equally at home coatingblistered green beansas it is swooshed underlamb meatballswith Greek yogurt or dolloped on top ofscrambled eggs.

You will need afood processor—if you don’t have one, we highly recommend making this an excuse to get one; it’s a good investment that you’ll useforever and ever and ever—and a handful of ingredients like basil, pine nuts, olive oil, Parmesan, garlic, and salt. The key for this classic pesto is to add the basil at the very end instead of blending everything all at once. That way the herbs will maintain their verdant color without bruising or losing flavor.

Editor’s note: This recipe was originally published August 21, 2018.

All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

What you’ll need

Ingredients

Makes about 1½ cups

½ cup pine nuts
3 oz. Parmesan, grated (about ¾ cup)
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
6 cups basil leaves (about 3 bunches)
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. kosher salt
  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°. Toast pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet (or quarter sheet pan), tossing once halfway through, until golden brown, 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a food processor and let cool. Add cheese and garlic and pulse until finely ground, about 1 minute. Add basil and place the top back on. With the motor running, add oil in a slow and steady stream until pesto is mostly smooth, with just a few flecks of green, about 1 minute. Season with salt.

    Do Ahead:香蒜酱可以提前1天。顶级½”石油prevent browning. Store in a covered container (an extra drizzle of oil on top will help prevent oxidation) and chill.

    Step 2

    If you want to use this with pasta, cook 12 oz. dried pasta (we prefer long pasta for pesto) in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta cooking liquid.

    Step 3

    Place pesto and 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces, in a large bowl. Add pasta and ¼ cup pasta cooking liquid. Using tongs, toss vigorously, adding more pasta cooking liquid if needed, until pasta is glossy and well coated with sauce. Season with salt.

    Step 4

    Divide pasta among bowls. Top with finely grated Parmesan.

    Photo by Alex Lau
Sign InorSubscribe
to leave a Rating or Review

How would you rate BA’s Best Pesto?

Leave a Review

Read More
Classic Banana Split
The ultimate banana split recipe combines a trio of ice creams, hot fudge sauce, homemade cherries, chopped peanuts, and pillowy whipped cream.
Absinthe Minded
Green and frothy in appearance, this gin, lime, and absinthe cocktail is a whimsical warm-weather drink.
Buttery Shrimp Rolls
Gently poached shrimp are the star in this quick and simple warm weather favorite. Lean on frozen shrimp for an even faster prep.
Cream Scones With Grilled Nectarine and Goat Cheese Sabayon
A broken oven led to the creation of these grilled-nectarine-topped scones.
Sheet-Pan Berry Shortcake
Topped with whipped cream and juicy berries, this giant shortcake is a must-bake for any summer party.
Oven-Fried Crispy Shiitake Imperial Rolls
Yes, you can make shatteringly crispy imperial rolls by blasting them with heat in the oven or an air fryer.
Creamy Chimichurri Roast Chicken
This velvety chimichurri riff combines the sauce’s signature acidity and herbaceousness with yogurt’s mellow tang for a versatile two-in-one marinade and good-on-everything condiment.
Archangel
Keep Aperol, gin, and a few cucumber slices on hand all summer long to make this elegant cocktail whenever you want.