Add basil, garlic, cheese, pine nuts, salt, and pepper to a food processor and process on high power until mostly smooth.
With the processor running on low power, very slowly drizzle the oil into the food processor, stopping when desired consistency is reached. (More or less than ¾ cup may be used).
Cook 2 pounds of pasta to al dente. Drain water, but do not rinse pasta; Transfer pasta to a serving dish, toss with ½ of the pesto and serve while hot.
Notes
More or less olive oil can be blended into the pesto sauce to reach your desired consistency.You will have enough pesto sauce for about 4 lbs of pasta. Store leftover sauce in a covered container in the refrigerator and use within 5 days.The recipe can easily be reduced to make a half or quarter batch.This is a very classic and flavorful pesto sauce that goes great with pasta, on pizza, eggs, and poultry.