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overhead partial view of three pesto's in white bowls
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5 from 10 votes

Pesto Three Ways

Pesto is one of the easiest most delicious seasoning you'll ever learn to make.  It can be added to so many dishes in so many ways.  Here are three of my favorite pesto recipes to help you get you started creating your own.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 25
Calories: 99kcal
Author: Chef Dennis Littley

Ingredients

Pesto Genovese

  • 2 bunches basil
  • ½ bunch Italian Parsley (depending upon the size of the bunch you may need a full bunch or if you want the flavors a little milder)
  • ¼ cup grated Romano Cheese
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

  • 4 oz sun dried tomatoes reconstituted
  • ¼ cup Romano cheese grated
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Arugula Pesto

  • 3 cups arugula leaves
  • ¼ cup salted pistachios
  • 1 clove garlic peeled
  • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons gorgonzola

Instructions

Pesto Genovese

  • Remove the leaves from the basil and parsley, do not use the stems
  • To toast your pine nuts get a pan sauté pan very hot , then turn off the heat, and add your pine nuts. Keep the pine nuts moving around so they toast without burning.
  • Place them into your food processor, Pulse it until its minced very well.
  • Add garlic, toasted pine nuts, and grated Romano Cheese, pulse to combine
  • Drizzle in the Olive Oil until it has a nice smooth consistency without looking oily

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

  • Reconstitute sun dried tomatoes then drain thoroughly
  • Add sun dried tomatoes to food processor and pulse until it turns to paste
  • To toast your pine nuts get a pan saute pan very hot , then turn off the heat, and add your pine nuts. Keep the pine nuts moving around so they toast without burning
  • Add garlic, toasted pine nuts, and grated Romano Cheese, pulse to combine
  • Drizzle in the Olive Oil until it has a nice smooth consistency without looking oily

Arugula Pesto

  • Clean and wash your arugula leaves, pat dry in paper towels
  • In the bowl of your food processor, add the arugula, garlic clove and pistachios. Pulse until fully blended and finely chopped.
  • Add Gorgonzola Cheese and Olive Oil, and pulse until well blended

Nutrition

Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 246IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg