You will need a large food processor or high-quality blender to make the pesto.

1. First, prep your 8 medium-sized basil leaves by rinsing and patting them dry.
2. Then add 1 cup of the pitted green olives (drained of juice), 1/2 cup of walnut pieces or halves, 8 basil leaves, 2 peeled garlic cloves, and 3/4 cup olive oil to the food processor.
3. Blend into a paste.  You can add additional olive oil to reach the desired consistency, but the pesto is intended to be more paste-like than oily.
4. As mentioned, you can prepare this pesto ahead of time.  The only step left is to boil a large pot of water and make your pasta according to package directions.
5. Once your pasta is cooked and drained, add it back to the warm pot with 1-2 tsp olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking together.
6. Dish the desired amount of pasta topped with a large spoonful of room-temperature pesto. You can add grated Parmesan cheese to the top as well.