Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe
A fresh and vibrant Italian sauce made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil – perfect for pasta, sandwiches, and more.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blended
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1–2 tsp lemon juice (to brighten flavor and preserve color)
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add Parmesan cheese and pulse a few more times to combine.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until smooth and emulsified.
- Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice if using. Pulse to combine.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- For nut-free pesto, substitute sunflower seeds or omit nuts altogether.
- Can be frozen in small portions (like an ice cube tray) for later use.
- Try using other greens like spinach, arugula, or kale for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Find it online: https://ukfinda.com/homemade-basil-pesto-recipe/