Walnut Sauce – Salsa di Noci

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Walnut Sauce AKA Salsa di Noci is the most understated Italian sauce there is. It may not look like much but it is like a flavour bomb in your mouth! Serve it with pasta or toss with light and pillowy gnocchi or a super simple comfort food meal!

An overhead shot of walnut sauce tossed with gnocchi
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Checkboxes

Salsa di Noci or walnut sauce is unbelievably delicious, I mean if you’re a fan of homemade pesto you will love this!

Although it’s not nearly as well known as basil pesto it’s just as addictive, like eat it by the spoonful addictive.

Better yet it’s made in a food processor and requires no cooking at all, really it’s SO quick and simple.

Ingredients

An overhead shot of ingredients for making walnut sauce

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It
  • Walnuts – an obvious one, you can’t have walnut sauce without walnuts!
  • White bread the secret ingredient to making this sauce thick and extra creamy!
  • Parmesan  & Garlic – simple ingredients that pack a punch of flavour and give this walnut sauce some serious umami kick!
  • Milk & olive oil – Adds creaminess and turns the mixture from a paste to a sauce.
Never Miss a Recipe!
Get all the latest recipes and Italian content sent straight to your inbox (plus our top 10 Italian cooking secrets!)
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

How to Make Walnut Sauce (Salsa di Noci) – Step by Step

First, cut the crusts off the white bread then place in a bowl with the milk (photo 1 & 2).

Step by step photos for making walnut sauce

Put all other ingredients in a food processor then add the milk and bread (it only needs to soak for a few seconds), (photo 3).

Blitz everything together until thick but smooth. If the sauce is too thick then add a little more milk (photo 4).

If tossing with pasta or gnocchi reserve 1 cup (240ml) of pasta water.

Once you’ve drained the pasta add it back to the pot with the desired amount of walnut sauce and loosen it with pasta water as you toss it with the pasta ( you won’t need the whole cup).

Ways to Use Walnut Sauce from Pasta to Chicken

  • Toss with your favourite pasta long or short (this is how it’s traditionally served)
  • Toss with gnocchi (my favourite way to eat this)
  • This would be the perfect sauce to serve with our super popular mushroom ravioli!
  • It’s absolutely delicious with roast chicken
  • Keep it thick and spread it on crostini like you would any other pesto
Walnut sauce, salsa di noci in a rustic bowl

Recipe Tips

  • You can make this in advance and store it in the fridge covered in plastic wrap
  • If the sauce is too thick you can add more milk until you reach the desired consistency
  • If tossing with pasta or gnocchi make sure to reserve some pasta water to thin out the sauce, it adds a tonne of flavour and helps loosen the sauce without adding more milk.
  • I love to top pasta or gnocchi with extra chopped walnuts for extra crunch
  • For freshness top with fresh parsley

Can you Freeze this sauce?

Yes, you can freeze it in suitable containers, just make sure to thaw the sauce completely before using.

Since I prefer to eat this fresh (freezing things can dull the flavour) you can also half this recipe if you don’t need as much.

A close up of walnut sauce tossed with gnocchi on a fork

More Italian Recipes You Might Like

If you’ve tried this Walnut Sauce or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.

Step By Step Photos Above

Most of our recipes come with step by step photos, helpful tips and tricks to make it perfectly first time and even video!

Walnut Sauce – Salsa di Noci

5 from 8 votes

By Emily

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Walnut Sauce AKA Salsa di Noci is the most understated Italian sauce there is. It may look not look like much but it is like a flavour bomb in your mouth! Serve it with pasta or toss with light and pillowy gnocchi or a super simple comfort food meal!
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Checkboxes

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups walnuts, (150g)
  • ¾ cup milk, (150ml)
  • 1 slice white bread
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 cup parmesan, freshly grated (50g)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions 

  • First, cut the crusts off the white bread then place in a bowl with the milk
  • Put all other ingredients in a food processor then add the milk and bread (it only needs to soak for a few seconds)
  • Blitz everything together until thick but smooth. If the sauce is too thick then add a little more milk
  • If tossing with pasta or gnocchi reserve 1 cup (240mof pasta water.
  • Once you’ve drained the pasta add it back to the pot with the desired amount of walnut sauce and loosen it with pasta water as you toss it with the pasta ( you won’t need the whole cup).
  • Serve with extra topped walnuts if desired.

Notes

  • You can make this in advance and store it in the fridge covered in plastic wrap
  • If the sauce is too thick you can add more milk until you reach the desired consistency
  • If tossing with pasta or gnocchi make sure to reserve some pasta water to thin out the sauce, it adds a tonne of flavour and helps loosen the sauce without adding more milk.
  • I love to top pasta or gnocchi with extra chopped walnuts for extra crunch
  • For freshness top with fresh parsley

Helpful Info for All Recipes

  • I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
  • When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
  • All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
  • All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
  • Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
  • Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
  • You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 301mg | Potassium: 185mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 271mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment below!
5 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

14 Comments

  1. Jeanne says:

    This was INSANELY good and so quick and easy! Only thing I added was some salt and pepper. It waaaaay exceeded my expectations. Might try with a little chopped spinach just to get in daily veg next time. Thank you for sharing!!!5 stars

  2. Guy says:

    I’m about to try it!
    What do you think about toasting the walnuts (or at least some of them) before using in the sauce?

    1. Inside the rustic kitchen says:

      Sounds delicious, let me know if you try toasting them first!

  3. Matthew Knott says:

    In Liguria, they serve it over pansotti (potbellies), which are like small ravioli stuffed with herbs. Delicious! Too bad you can’t buy them here.

    1. Inside the rustic kitchen says:

      Oh yum, sounds so delicious! Maybe you could try making them from scratch?

  4. Sara says:

    Who knew something that sounds so decadent would be so easy??5 stars

    1. Inside the rustic kitchen says:

      I know, right!?

  5. Suzy says:

    I’ve had a walnut pesto before but never anything like this! I need to try it asap! I bet it taste heavenly!5 stars

    1. Inside the rustic kitchen says:

      It’s so addictive! Thanks, Suzy!

  6. Sara Welch says:

    What an easy and savory meal! I know what I will be having for dinner tonight; yum!5 stars

    1. Inside the rustic kitchen says:

      Oh yay, hope you enjoy it!

  7. Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life says:

    I’m always looking for new sauces to try and this looks incredibly creamy and tasty!5 stars

    1. Inside the rustic kitchen says:

      This one is SO quick and easy too, thanks so much!

  8. Genevieve says:

    This pasta looks so delicious!5 stars