Pesto alla Trapanese
My go-to Pesto alla Trapanese, a rustic, no-cook tomato pesto made with fresh basil, garlic, almonds, and cheese. Tossed with hot pasta for an easy dinner in under 30 minutes.
Servings: 6
Calories: 534kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Pesto alla Trapanese:
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes cored and roughly chopped (or 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves roughly torn
- ½ cup blanched almonds lightly toasted if you like extra nuttiness
- 2 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- ½ cup olive oil extra virgin
- salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup Pecorino grated, or Parmigiano-Reggiano
For the Pasta:
- 1 pound pasta use your favorite pasta
- salt for boiling
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve a small cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
- In a food processor or mortar, combine the chopped tomatoes, basil leaves, almonds, and garlic. Pulse a few times so that the ingredients are broken down but still retain a bit of texture.
- With the processor running (or by stirring in a mortar), drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil gradually until the mixture comes together into a rustic sauce. Season with salt and pepper. If you’re using cheese, fold in the grated Pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- In a large serving bowl, toss the warm, drained pasta with the freshly made pesto. If the sauce feels a bit thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to help it coat the pasta evenly.
- Serve immediately, and if desired, garnish with a few extra basil leaves and a sprinkle more of grated cheese.
Video
Notes
- Ripe tomatoes make the sauce: cherry tomatoes are a great backup if your regular ones are meh.
- Toasted almonds bring extra depth. You can toast them yourself or grab them pre-toasted from the store.
- Don’t over-blend! Keep it rustic so the sauce clings to the pasta instead of sliding off.
- Reserve that pasta water: it’s your trick to loosen the sauce just right.
- Want to make it heartier? Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or whatever protein your other half is demanding that night.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 534kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 451mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 912IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 2mg
