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Pesto Fresco Pasta Recipe with Homemade Pesto

I participated in Mom Blog Tour at the Summer Fancy Food Show on behalf of Wendy’s Bloggers and received Capatriti Extra Virgin Olive Oil products to facilitate my review. #MomBlogTourFF
 

Pesto is one of my favorite sauces for pasta dishes. It has a rich and nutty flavor. I wanted to make my own homemade pesto sauce, so I came up with this amazing Italian-inspired Pesto Fresco pasta recipe.

 

This Pesto Fresco pasta recipe will delight with its fresh ingredients and homemade pesto sauce. Get the recipe! Pesto | Pasta | Recipe | Dinner Ideas | Noodles | EVOO | Olive Oil | Mortar and Pestle | Homemade | Pasta Sauce | Pine Nuts | ItalianGreat for Pinning Image Pin It Button

 

Choosing the best ingredients is of utmost importance when it comes to homemade pesto sauce. We used Capatriti Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) which is seriously the best EVOO I have tasted. I am very particular about my olive oil. It needs a smooth texture and a delightfully nutty flavor–not too strong, but it still needs some great flavor. Capatriti EVOO tastes just right and so fresh.

Now we have the following cuisines for our Mom Blog Tour series: Asian-inspired, American-inspired, Caribbean-inspired, and Italian-inspired (along with this back-to-school snack).

 

To make the homemade pesto, I went the more traditional route and use a mortar and pestle. To be honest, that route is painstaking and time-consuming, but to me it was worth it for a richer flavor. I used a small mortar and pestle that I received as a child, but when I make this again I will purchase a larger size so it fits all of the ingredients better. If you want a much quicker option, you can use a food processor instead of a mortar and pestle.

 

Pesto Fresco Square

 

Pesto Fresco Pasta

 

First you will want to make the pesto sauce. Choose if you want to use a mortar and pestle or a food processor.

 

Pesto Fresco Step 1

 

Begin by making a puree of the garlic and pine nuts.

 

Pesto Fresco Step 2

 

Grind in the basil leaves until they are broken up to your liking.

 

Pesto Fresco Step 2b

 

Add in the salt, pepper, and Capatriti EVOO.

 

Pesto Fresco Step 3

 

Mix in the grated pecorino romano cheese until well-blended. Set aside. If you need the pesto later in the day, you can refrigerate until the pasta is ready, up to a couple days.

 

Pesto Fresco Step 4

 

Prepare the pasta per package instructions. We used gemelli noodles, but you may use different types if you wish.

Once the pasta is cooked and drained, mix in the pesto sauce.

 

Pesto Fresco Step 5

 

Fold in the tomatoes, pine nuts, lemon zest, and a little black pepper.

 

Pesto Fresco Step 6

 

Sprinkle with freshly-grated cheese to serve.

 

Pesto Fresco TopPesto Fresco

 

4.8 from 35 reviews
Pesto Fresco Pasta Recipe with Homemade Pesto
 
Author:
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • 2 cups fresh basil
  • salt and pepper
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup grated pecorino romano cheese (plus extra for serving)
  • 1lb box of pasta noodles
  • 1 cup fresh tomato, cut into cubes
  • zest of half a lemon
Instructions
  1. With a mortar and pestle (or in a food processor), combine the garlic and ¼ cup pine nuts until a paste has formed.
  2. Mash in the fresh basil until it is broken into little bits.
  3. Stir in salt and pepper to taste and olive oil.
  4. Add cheese and stir until combined. Set aside and refrigerate.
  5. Prepare the pasta according to package instructions and drain.
  6. Mix the pesto sauce into the noodles.
  7. Fold in the remaining pine nuts, tomato, lemon zest, and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh grated romano cheese.

 

Capatriti EVOO comes in a variety of sizes:

  • 17oz./25.4oz/34oz glass bottles
  • 51oz plastic bottles
  • 68/101oz tins

 

Their products are focused on giving you the highest quality EVOO. They are gluten-free, kosher, have 0 grams trans fat, and are closely monitored by USDA QMP. In fact, they invite them to come test batches to make sure their customers are receiving true EVOO as they expect. The bottles hold the quality seals.

 

Capatriti EVOO

 

Capatriti EVOO is all about integrity in product labeling. If they say the olive oil is extra virgin, it really is (in fact, that is one of the biggest reasons they invite inspectors in.). Many brands that claim to have “extra virgin” olive oil have diluted the product with nut oils, which can be dangerous for those with allergies. You really can taste the difference.

 

Capatriti EVOO Bread Dipping Oil

So what does it mean for an olive oil to be “extra virgin“? EVOO is the very first press of the fresh olives. It’s the cream of the crop. They pick the olives, wash them, slightly chill them, then press them to get the oils. EVOO is stronger than, say, “pure” olive oil (which is reprocessed, thus it is lighter), so it is perfect for adding to salads, dipping bread, and using in my delicious pesto recipe.

Since I was a young child, I have been obsessed with dipping oil for bread. You can make this all sorts of ways (I will probably do a post with some recipe ideas eventually!). I have made savory with Italian seasonings, sweet with sugar and cinnamon, and fun flavors like pizza seasoning. Simply use the spices you wish to flavor the Capatriti EVOO, fill a shallow dish with it, and dip fresh bread into it. So yum.

My absolute favorite snack to eat lately has been a fresh heirloom tomato cut up, drizzled with Capatriti EVOO, and sprinkled with Himalayan pink salt and freshly-cracked black pepper. Oh. Man. It is so good; you have to try it.

 

Capatriti EVOO Heirloom Tomatoes

 

Follow Capatriti EVOO on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Capatriti Extra Virgin Olive Oil

 
Read Also: Pennette Caprese Salad Recipe from Penelope’s Oasis and Garden Fresh Bruschetta from A Grande Life, both a part of the Mom Blog Tour!
 

I would love to hear from you in the comments below–-What is your favorite way to use EVOO? In salads? For cooking? For personal care products?

 

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109 Comments

  1. Olive oil is just so useful all around. I start almost every meal with it, and love it as a bread dip. I love how soft it leaves my skin, so I use it in a home-made sugar scrub. I probably have the strangest use for it, too: I have a box turtle who sustained damage before we found him and he gets very dry, crusty and flaky skin, unlike our other box turtle, so I occasionally dip him in water with olive oil in it to keep his skin hydrated! He always seems to enjoy his spa day! 🙂

  2. what a Awsome stuff and the blog recipe looks good

  3. Olive oil is the only oil I ever use in all of my cooking, roasting and sauteing. I sometimes use it on my skin if it’s really dry.

  4. I like using flavored olive oil. Olive oil has many uses outside of cooking

  5. my husband is the chef in our house – we go through SO much olive oil. he likes the flavored ones too!

  6. Your Pesto Fresco Pasta Recipe with Homemade Pesto looks so light and refreshing. I have never made Homemade pesto and I want to try out your delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing.

  7. I like how olive oil is so versatile for many types of dishes.

  8. I love Olive oil in all of our main dishes plus to drizzle with balsamic vinegar over fresh tomatoes – yum!

  9. We love EVOO! It’s my go-to for pretty much any type of cooking on my stovetop! And for bread dipping herbs, too!

  10. jeremy mclaughlin

    Great recipe.

  11. Stephanie Phelps

    I use EVOO with balsamic vinegar in my salad! I also use it in any recipe calling for oil!

  12. I love good olive oil, I love to pour a squiggle over a homemade soup such as summer minnestrone!

  13. In my house we love pasta and we love pesto but I haven’t yet made my own pesto. Your recipes look delicious!

  14. Jenny Scheldberg

    I love using olive oil when cooking. I’ve been wanting to make a pasta with lots of fresh garden veggies.

  15. I use EEOV all the time in cooking. It’s so much better in taste and for you. I love the decanter.

  16. This recipe looks easy and delicious! love that used a mortar to mash up the pesto.

  17. I like to use olive for cooking. Anything that would normally be deep fried or fried such as fries, or chicken etc, I drizzle olie oil and bake it. It actually tastes better and is so much better for you. I am going to have to try the tomatoes and oil- I grow heirlooms too.

  18. I would love to try this recipe! Thanks 🙂

  19. Olive oil and the bread dip is my favorite. I get so excited when we order it. Have a Great day.

  20. Olive oil is so healthy and delicious. Pesto is my very favorite. Thanks for the chance.

  21. The Pesto Fresco Pasta looks so delicious!

  22. I love Evoo! We use it in cooking, salad dressings AND personal care products! I make my own shaving cream and one of the ingredients is olive oil. It makes my skin feel SOOoo good!

  23. I use EVOO every single day in my cooking. Can’t exist without it!

  24. I use olive oil in my breads and pizza crust dough

  25. That recipe looks delicious. We also try to use Olive Oil as often as possible and I love how easy it is to create amazing pasta meals with Olive Oil and a few other fresh ingredients.

  26. like using flavored olive oil

  27. I love to use olive oil for dipping, for cooking, and for frying.

  28. I olive oil daily, it is my favorite thing to cook with. It’s also great to use as a salad dresing.

  29. Olive oil is my main cooking oil. I love it for its taste and health benefits.

  30. I always use lots of olive oil when I make marinades for grilling. And I love it on a salad too, with a little apple cider vinegar as a simple dressing

  31. I use olive oil as a dressing all my healthy cooking.

  32. I always use oil oil as dressing! It’s the best. Thanks for the great offer 🙂

  33. Mary Beth Elderton

    I love to use olive oil for sauteing veggies.

  34. I love olive oil. I use it to saute my vegetables.

  35. I use it in pizza & bread dough and for a coating when I make oven fries.

  36. I usually just use it for cooking! I haven’t really tried it for anything else.

  37. As a single working Mama of 3, I am always searching for great new recipes that use EVOO!

  38. Wow the recipe looks amazing! Would love to try it.

  39. Pesto is simply amazing.

  40. thats looks so good i would love to try it…we use it a lot on homemade pizza and subs

  41. Natalie Yarbrough

    I love cooking with olive oil! It definitely enhances the taste of food!

  42. I love using evoo to make salad dressing with. I never buy the store brought. It taste so much better making your own!

  43. I love using olive oil in my dishes. I would love to use a flavored olive oil.

  44. I’ve never made pesto in a mortar & pestle but now I want to try it!

  45. This is definitely a great recipe to try. My son would probably love this because it has so much of what he likes.

  46. Olive Oil is our favorite oil for cooking.

  47. I actually have a bottle of Capretti olive oil in my cabinet I am planning to use this afternoon to make pesto cubes to freeze. My basil did amazing this year.

  48. I like using robust olive oil, or adding my own spices into it

  49. Olive Oil is a huge staple in our house with recipes. Capretti Olive Oil is a favorite!

  50. I like using flavored olive oil. Olive oil has many uses outside of cooking

  51. My grandmother used to make her own pesto and it was so delicious. I would love to try and make some too. I love cooking with evo, sautéing zucchini this week.

  52. like how olive oil is so versatile for many types of dishes

  53. I love olive oil for roasting veggies! Yum!

  54. we really do use olive oil in all of our cooking! as a matter of fact i just sauteed some broccoli onions and mushrooms for dinner!

  55. I use olive oil in all of my cooking. I love it!

  56. I enjoy using olive oil in a lot of my foods… Like when I am cooking rice, popcorn and of course in my salads…. and what ever my imagination thinks up.

  57. I use olive oil for pretty much everything. But it’s best on my famous pasta.

  58. Finally, a good use for my pestle and mortar beyond being a shelf decoration!
    -Jessica J.

  59. The recipe looks amazing and the giveaway even better..

  60. This recipe looks so good! I love pasta and olive oil!

  61. There is nothing better than using EVOO Olive Oil when I cook pasta & to use as a oil & vinegar salad dressing on fresh salad. Got to go…time to cook with EVOO!

  62. I love to use it for cooking.

  63. I love the versatility of olive oil. Pesto is one of my favorites. Thank you

  64. I love to use olive oil when I’m cooking! It makes everything taste so good!

  65. I love olive oil in pasta dishes! So yummy 🙂

  66. I use olive oil all the time. It’s healthy and I love it for dipping my bread.

  67. olive oil is my salad dressing! i use it by the bottle to saute my veggies.. coat my baked chicken and fry my eggs in it

  68. my niece lives by using olive oil love to win this for her

  69. What a great recipe! We use Olive Oil for most all of our cooking.

  70. Oh my goodness, we use EVOO like it’s going out of style around our house! Your recipe is fantastic! 🙂

  71. My family loves pesto and we always use capatriti olive oil ,my family would love this recipe Thanks

  72. Capatriti EVOO is a versatile and healthy addition to your pantry. It can be used in so many ways.

  73. Definitely in salad.

  74. I use olive oil for cooking. I use it to roast veggies and to keep things from sticking when i stir fry.

  75. Francine Anchondo

    I love cooking my veggies in olive oil

  76. Ive been looking for a good pesto recipe after sampling some at church. Would love this!

  77. i would definitely use it in the pasta that i make every weekend. i would love to try out the recipe.

  78. I would love to win this! I could really use some great tasting olive oil for my recipes!

  79. The recipe above looks great. I would like to cook that for dinner

  80. I mostly like to use EVOO for cooking. Mainly for hearty, rich dishes.

  81. I love using olive oil it makes so many dishes better

  82. stephanie scales campbell

    i am just learning to experiment more with olive oil so this post is very interesting thanks

  83. Pesto is one of our favorite recipes. We grow basil have have it over pasta or grilled chicken a couple times a week!

  84. Love the pesto recipe
    Thanks for the chance

  85. I use olive oil a lot in my cooking. Thank you for sharing the recipe!

  86. My all time favorite way to use olive oil is combined with a good balsamic vinegar and used for dipping great bread. I love olive oils with any kind of Italian cooking as well.

  87. I love olive oil because it has healthy fats and is very useful in my cookingM

  88. I use olive oil in my chicken alfredo with olive oil in dipping bread.

  89. I love using flavored olive oil!

  90. I love your recipe. I love Pesto but admit that I have never made it myself. This recipe is one I can see myself making a lot of times!

  91. I love olive oil PERIOD! I cook with it, drink it, and use it during my beauty regimen.

  92. I love to use olive oil in cooking.

  93. I love using olive oil for marinates. It works great for chicken and roasting veggies. I also use it on red meats before braising.

  94. I love using olive oil to make great bread dips, marinate meats and veggies, and put it in my dogs food when she has dry skin. It is wonderful!

  95. I use olive oil for most of my meals! I love it!

  96. I use olive oil for almost everything. I would love to try this brand!!!

  97. I love to use it as a dip for fresh bread.

  98. I love to put olive oil sprinkled in various cheeses in a bowl and dip Italian bread in it!

  99. We love to use EVOO for sautéing vegetables i.e. broccoli & red peppers !!!

  100. Calshondra Williams

    I love Olive Oil and use it in various recipes. Roasting, Sauteing, Marinate for meats, Drizzle on bread, in my salads, and as a beauty regimen. I’d love to win. Thanks for the opportunity and chance.

  101. Once you start using the mortar and pestle, you have exceeded my skill level. That is why I usually eat the food, not prepare it!!

  102. I love pesto and this recipe looks really delicious. Thank you for sharing with your readers. Yum!

  103. I use Capatriti olive oil all the time …and grow my own basil and make my own pesto. This recipe sound delicious!

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