{"id":1948181,"date":"2018-01-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T23:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?post_type=recipe&p=1948181"},"modified":"2024-05-20T15:56:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T20:56:40","slug":"classic-pesto","status":"publish","type":"recipe","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/classic-pesto\/","title":{"rendered":"Pesto"},"content":{"rendered":"

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of a fresh batch of pesto\u2014except that exquisite first taste! In this classic pesto recipe, you can learn how to this flavorful, versatile sauce. And maybe you’ll get inspired to make your own variations, too!<\/p>\n

What is pesto?<\/h2>\n

Pesto is a rustic Italian paste-meets-sauce. It’s made by grinding fresh basil leaves with other ingredients like garlic and cheese, then slowly adding olive oil to create a chunky, ground sauce.<\/p>\n

Pesto originated in the Liguria region of Italy, where basil grows abundantly. The capital of Liguria is Genoa, and because of this, authentic pesto is sometimes referred to as pesto Genovese<\/em>. The traditional ingredients are fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt, Parmigiano-Reggiano<\/a> or pecorino Romano cheese and olive oil. The name “pesto” is derived from “pestle,” the tool used with a mortar to hand-grind ingredients for the sauce.<\/p>\n

Pesto Ingredients<\/h2>\n