Pesto alla Genovese
Pesto alla Genovese showcases the vibrant flavors of fresh basil, garlic, and pine nuts, blended into a creamy sauce that's perfect for a low-carb lunch. This dish can be enjoyed over zoodles or as a dressing for grilled vegetables, making it both versatile and delicious.

15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Italian
350 kcal
Ingredients
- Fresh basil leaves - 50 grams
- Pine nuts - 30 grams
- Garlic - 1 clove
- Parmesan cheese, grated - 40 grams
- Extra virgin olive oil - 100 ml
- Salt - to taste
- Black pepper - to taste
Steps
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the pine nuts until golden, about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- In a food processor, combine the toasted pine nuts, fresh basil leaves, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese, and pulse again until mixed.
- With the food processor running, slowly stream in the extra virgin olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste, and blend for a few more seconds to combine.
- Serve immediately over zoodles or as a dip for grilled vegetables.
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 10 g
- Carbs: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
- Total Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
- Water: 0.01 L
Health Benefits
- Rich in healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts, which can support heart health.
- High in antioxidants from fresh basil, providing anti-inflammatory benefits.
Tags
ItalianLow CarbLunch