Pesto alla Genovese
A cold, uncooked sauce made from fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino, olive oil, and garlic, traditionally pounded in a mortar. Served with trofie, trenette, or other pasta, often with potatoes and green beans.
Allergen data cross-referenced against published allergen databases.
Your dietary restrictions
The full allergen breakdown is below. Select your restrictions to see a personalized safety status.
Full allergen breakdown
Ingredients
- fresh basil
- pine nuts (Tree Nut)
- Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Pecorino Sardo
- extra virgin olive oil
- garlic
- salt
Hidden Ingredients
These ingredients are not typically listed on menus but are present in traditional preparations.
- pine nuts are a tree nut (FDA classification)
- 20-30% of pesto by weight is hard cheese (dairy)
- many restaurants substitute pine nuts with cheaper walnuts, cashews, or almonds without disclosure
- pasta (wheat)
Allergen Breakdown
Dairy-Free
Likely contains restrictionParmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino are structural ingredients, not garnish. 20-30% by weight.
Gluten-Free
Likely contains restrictionServed on wheat pasta.
Peanut-Free
Likely OKNo peanuts in pesto. Pine nuts are not peanuts.
Tree Nut-Free
Likely contains restrictionPine nuts are a tree nut. Restaurants frequently substitute walnuts, cashews, or almonds without disclosure.
Shellfish-Free
Likely OKNo shellfish in pesto.
Egg-Free
Likely OKNo eggs in pesto alla Genovese.
Fish-Free
Likely OKNo fish in pesto.
Soy-Free
Likely OKNo soy in pesto.
Sesame-Free
Likely OKNo sesame in standard pesto alla Genovese.
Vegetarian
Likely OKFully vegetarian.
| Restriction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy-Free | Likely contains restriction | Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino are structural ingredients, not garnish. 20-30% by weight. |
| Gluten-Free | Likely contains restriction | Served on wheat pasta. |
| Peanut-Free | Likely OK | No peanuts in pesto. Pine nuts are not peanuts. |
| Tree Nut-Free | Likely contains restriction | Pine nuts are a tree nut. Restaurants frequently substitute walnuts, cashews, or almonds without disclosure. |
| Shellfish-Free | Likely OK | No shellfish in pesto. |
| Egg-Free | Likely OK | No eggs in pesto alla Genovese. |
| Fish-Free | Likely OK | No fish in pesto. |
| Soy-Free | Likely OK | No soy in pesto. |
| Sesame-Free | Likely OK | No sesame in standard pesto alla Genovese. |
| Vegetarian | Likely OK | Fully vegetarian. |
Key risk: People think pesto is 'basil and olive oil.' Authentic pesto alla Genovese is 20-30% hard cheese by weight. Pine nuts are a tree nut. And since pine nuts are expensive, restaurants frequently substitute cashews or walnuts without mentioning it — one nut swap becomes a different tree nut exposure for the same dish.
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