Why Does Pesto Have a Lot of Calories Compared to Tomato Sauce?
                                
                                
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                                    2 min read                                
                            
                                According to the USDA, a 1/4-cup serving of classic basil pesto can contain over 260 calories, while the same amount of a typical marinara sauce has under 50 calories. The answer to why pesto has a lot of calories compared to tomato sauce lies in its core ingredients, which are packed with energy-dense fats.