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Classic Italian basil pesto with olive oil and pine nuts
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 tablespoon (medium) of Basil Pesto (Barilla) (16 g) has 75 calories. That works out to 470 calories per 100 g. It contains 1 g of carbs, 0.6 g of protein, 7.5 g of fat and 0.3 g of fiber. Its 12.8 µg of Vitamin K covers 11% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 15 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 1 tablespoon (medium) · 16 g
75
KCAL / 16G
Carbs
1g
· 0% DV
Protein
0.6g
· 1% DV
Fat
7.5g
· 10% DV
Fiber
0.3g
· 1% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 5% · Protein 3% · Fat 92%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 75 kcal | |
| Total fat | 7.5 g | 10% |
| Saturated fat | 1.12 g | 6% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 192 mg | 8% |
| Total carbohydrate | 1 g | 0% |
| Fiber | 0.3 g | 1% |
| Protein | 0.6 g | 1% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (medium) | 16 g | 75 kcal |
| 1 teaspoon (small) | 5 g | 24 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (thin) | 10 g | 47 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (thick) | 20 g | 94 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 30 g | 141 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (large) | 32 g | 150 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 470 kcal |
| 1 pack (whole) | 190 g | 893 kcal |
| 1 cup (large) | 240 g | 1128 kcal |
Calculated from 470 calories per 100 g.
Barilla Basil Pesto is a basil-based sauce made with olive oil and pine nuts. It is commonly used as a ready-to-eat pasta sauce or spread; you can stir it into a dish without cooking it separately.
Store unopened Barilla Basil Pesto in a cool, dry place and follow the storage instructions on its jar. Once opened, refrigerate it with the lid tightly closed and use it according to the label’s guidance.
Yes, Barilla Basil Pesto can coat chicken, fish, or vegetables before cooking. Its oil and herbs add flavor, but wipe off excess sauce before grilling to reduce scorching, and cook the food fully.
Yes, Barilla Basil Pesto works well in cold pasta salad. Toss it with cooked pasta after the pasta has cooled, adding a small splash of water or dressing if the pesto feels too thick to coat everything.
Barilla Basil Pesto can taste bitter if its herb-and-oil flavors are intensified by prolonged high heat, or if the product has deteriorated. Add it near the end of cooking, and discard it if its smell or appearance seems off.
Yes, spread a thin layer of Barilla Basil Pesto over pizza dough instead of, or alongside, tomato sauce. Baking can soften its fresh basil aroma, so a little extra pesto added after baking gives a more noticeable flavor.
Keep Barilla Basil Pesto refrigerated, close the jar firmly, and always scoop it with a clean utensil. Follow the jar’s after-opening instructions rather than relying on the oil visible on top as a freshness indicator.
Barilla Basil Pesto is a commercial basil pesto, while pesto alla Genovese is the traditional Ligurian style of basil pesto. Recipes vary, so the exact ingredients and texture can differ between a jarred version and one made at home.
Yes, stir Barilla Basil Pesto into soup just before serving, especially vegetable or tomato-based soups. Adding it off the heat helps preserve its basil flavor; start with a small spoonful so it does not overpower the broth.
Use leftover Barilla Basil Pesto in a sandwich, spread it on toast, or mix a little into a salad dressing. Refrigerate the jar promptly after serving and follow its label for how long to keep it once opened.
Vitamins
Vitamin K
12.8µg · 11% DV
Vitamin E
0.48mg · 3% DV
Vitamin A
19.2µg · 2% DV
B2
0.01mg · 1% DV
Minerals
Sodium
192mg · 8% DV
Copper
0.03mg · 3% DV
Manganese
0.06mg · 3% DV
Calcium
19mg · 2% DV
Potassium ⭐
32mg · 1% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 75 calories in 1 tablespoon (medium) (16 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Basil Pesto (Barilla) is a jarred Italian-style sauce made with basil, olive oil and pine nuts. Pesto is traditionally associated with Liguria in north-western Italy, where it is often made by crushing its ingredients into a fragrant paste. This version offers a convenient way to bring that flavour to everyday meals.
Its taste is herbal and savoury, with a rich, oily texture. Toss it with hot pasta after draining, spread a little in a sandwich, or use it to dress vegetables and grains. It also works as a dip alongside bread. Pesto is energy-dense and provides relatively little protein, so a small spoonful can add plenty of flavour without overwhelming a dish. Add a splash of pasta water to help it coat noodles evenly.
Medium
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Low
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
1.12g
MONOUNSATURATED
4.96g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.8g
Omega 6:3 ratio 13.3:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (13.3:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.