Mom's Pesto with Pecorino Romano is the best! It'll become your go-to recipe for basil pesto sauce!
My family's been eating pesto since 1982...long before it was cool to eat pesto in America. And, while it seems every grocery store, food blog and Italian restaurant features basil pesto nowadays, I have to say I've never tasted any as good as Mom's Pesto with Pecorino Romano.
I'm thrilled she's allowing me to share her recipe!
Pesto hails from Genoa in the Italian province of Liguria. It was there, in the town of Rapallo on the Italian Riviera, where we first tasted this fragrant, delicious paste of basil, garlic, olive oil, cheese and pignoli (pine nuts).
Mom, Dad, Nonna, my brother and I were spending five weeks in Italy visiting family and touring the country. In Rapallo, we would go to this unassuming little shop that sold fresh, handmade pasta, along with a selection of homemade sauces —all native to the region —to pick up items for dinner.
I was only 13 but never once hesitated to dive into whatever food was placed in front of me. Even if it was a strange green color.
And, when we tried the pesto...wow. Just wow.
Mom made sure to find a recipe (she says she got it from an Italian magazine), and began making her pesto with Pecorino Romano when we returned to the States. She actually uses a 50-50 combination of imported Pecorino (made from sheep's milk) and Parmesan, achieving the perfect balance of salty and sharp flavor, without being overpowering.
It wouldn't be summer without Mom's pesto. She used to grow basil and make large quantities of her green sauce, freezing quarts of it to last us into fall.
With that amount, she'd omit the pine nuts, since they're so expensive, but the pesto was still absolutely delicious. (I didn't use any nuts when I made it to photograph.)
When I had an apartment during my college years, Mom would supply me with her pesto so I could enjoy it with pasta. In fact, I think I honed my sales skills while convincing my roommates they had to try pasta with Mom's pesto, even if they were a little weirded out.
Of course, it only took one bite for them to become fans. Mom's pesto became legendary.
Friends, this is one of my favorite recipes on Cooking with Mamma C. If you have a nice quantity of basil leaves, you must try this! I've included Mom's tips for success in the recipe notes.
And, for times when you don't have enough basil, try making this Easy Spinach-Walnut Pesto. And, don't miss the Creamy Walnut Sauce for Pasta, which is like a blonde pesto.
Enjoy!
P.S. You have to try this Pesto Salmon! It's fabulous with Mom's pesto.
P.P.S. If you love basil, check out my Homemade Basil-Garlic Mayonnaise, Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta, Italian Mac and Cheese!
(Recipe Source: From my Mom, who originally saw the recipe in an Italian magazine after we tried pesto in 1982. I updated the photos on July 19, 2018.)
Mom’s Pesto with Pecorino Romano
Ingredients
- 5 ounces fresh Genovese basil leaves (stems removed; see notes)
- one large garlic clove (or two small)
- 2 Tablespoons pine nuts (optional)
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated imported Pecorino Romano cheese
Instructions
- Rinse your basil and pluck off the stems. Pat your basil leaves with a paper towel to absorb excess water, and place the leaves on paper towels to air dry. (See notes.)
- Grate your cheeses, if needed (I use my blender.) Combine the Parmesan and Romano in a small bowl.
- Peel the garlic and place it in a food processor. Add the pine nuts, if using. Pulse until the garlic is cut into small pieces.
- Add the basil leaves to the food processor and pulse until they're broken up, while drizzling in the olive oil.
- Add your combined cheeses to the food processor and process until a creamy paste is formed. There is no need for salt, since the cheese is salty enough.
- Use the pesto as a sauce stirred into pasta or on pizza, chicken or fish. Store the pesto covered, in the refrigerator for two weeks, or freeze for up to one month.
Video
Notes
1. Genovese basil with corrugated leaves is more flavorful than lemon basil with flat leaves.
2. The basil must be air dried to ensure the leaves are completely dry, in order to achieve the right texture.
3. If you don't have a scale to weigh your basil, you can fill up a 2-cup liquid measuring cup twice with packed basil until it's heaping.
4. Imported Pecorino Romano (made from sheep's milk) is key for flavor. You can buy it at an Italian import store or online (affiliate link).
Kelly
Have you made it with pecorino only?
Mamma C
Hi Kelly - No, I haven't. The pesto would probably be saltier and have a stronger flavor. I don't think it would be bad, in a pinch.
Jill
I just made it with Pecorino only as I have a cow dairy sensitivity. It was still delicious! I portioned it out into an ice cube tray to freeze for future use. Thank you for this recipe!
Mamma C
Hi Jill - Good to know it worked great with just Pecorino. I'm so glad you enjoyed the pesto, and freezing it in ice cube trays is a great idea!
Jace S
I don’t normally do reviews on stuff from here because I always add my own twist, I made this for a chicken pesto pizza and i added a pinch of salt and this stuff is absolutely amazing. Best pesto I’ve ever had by a long shot!
Mamma C
Hi Jace - I totally agree! I'm so glad you love my Mom's pesto as much as we do.
Soniya
Nothing beats home made pesto!! This looks so vibrant and delicious 👌 can't wait to try it 🙂
Mamma C
Thanks, Soniya! I hope you love it.
Heidy L. McCallum
Good morning, love this pesto, so glad to see it's not another cooked pesto that ruins the wonderful flavors. Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories of how your family member/ mom made it too. I definitely enjoyed reading your recipe post today.
Mamma C
I'm glad you enjoyed my post, Heidy! The pesto is baked on the fish, but in mounds without being spread until after it's cooked. Lots of flavor!
Gabi
We love already my basic basil pesto just with Parmesan cheese and basil with flat leaves. Adding pecorino Romano and Genovese basil is so much more authentic and I can imagine it tastes like heaven.
Mamma C
It really takes it over the top! Thanks, Gabi!
Jaclyn Anne
I love everything pesto but hadn't tried making my own before. Thank you for sharing this great pesto recipe -- I can't wait to use in on everything from chicken to crostinis!
Mamma C
Yes, you must! I've recently started using it on salmon too! Thanks, Jaclyn Anne.