Easy Homemade Pesto Recipe
Easy Homemade Pesto is a fresh and flavorful sauce made with basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, nuts, and olive oil blended into a rich green paste. This classic Italian-inspired sauce is perfect for pasta, sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and more.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: lemon juice
- Optional: spinach
- Optional: red pepper flakes
- Optional: extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place the basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts or walnuts, and garlic into a food processor.
- Pulse a few times until the ingredients are roughly chopped.
- With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil.
- Blend until the pesto becomes smooth and creamy.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Add a small squeeze of lemon juice if desired for extra brightness.
- Transfer the pesto to a jar or airtight container.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
- Replace pine nuts with almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or cashews if desired.
- Add spinach or arugula along with basil for a different flavor profile.
- Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a dairy-free version.
- Pour a thin layer of olive oil over the pesto before storing to help preserve the bright green color.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/easy-homemade-pesto-recipe/
