Not Pine Nuts: Giada De Laurentiis' 'Superfood' Pesto Calls For A Different Kind Of Nut - Tasting Table

"Basil, olive oil, garlic, lemon, pine nuts, salt, Parmigiano, and Pecorino: It's a simple combination, but the ingredients that make up traditional pesto alla Genovese come together to create one of the most delicious and nutritious pasta sauces out there."

"While pine nuts give pesto its classic buttery flavor and texture, they can be quite expensive, especially if you're buying them in bulk for a large batch of the sauce. Walnuts, on the other hand, are generally cheaper than pine nuts - and they're just as good for you, if not better. De Laurentiis said that she adds walnuts for their Omega 3s, but they're also full of protein, and they have double the amount of fiber pine nuts have."

"Beyond their health benefits, walnuts seriously elevate both the flavor and texture of pesto. They blend just as well into the mixture, giving you that classic smooth consistency, and they've got a great earthiness to them that you won't get from the more delicate pine nut. If you're looking to make homemade pesto but don't want to break the bank - or miss out on some essential nutrients - give walnuts a try in your next batch."

"Based on Giada de Laurentiis' Instagram Reel, it looks like she just added walnuts to the blender alongside the other pesto ingredients. This is completely fine, and it will provide you with delicious results. However, there's one way to take your walnut pesto a step further. It's no secret that adding toasted walnuts gives your pasta sauce a richer flavor, and this rule applies to pesto, too."

Traditional pesto alla Genovese uses basil, olive oil, garlic, lemon, pine nuts, salt, Parmigiano, and Pecorino to create a nutritious pasta sauce. Pine nuts provide a classic buttery flavor and texture but can be expensive, especially in bulk. Walnuts are generally cheaper and offer strong nutrition, including omega-3s, protein, and more fiber than pine nuts. Walnuts also blend well to maintain a smooth pesto consistency while adding an earthier flavor. For an extra upgrade, toast the walnuts before blending to develop deeper, more complex flavor in the sauce.

Read at Tasting Table