Homemade Pesto
Homemade Pesto is a fresh and vibrant Italian sauce made with basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil. This flavorful sauce is perfect for pasta, sandwiches, pizzas, roasted vegetables, and more.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add the basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic to a food processor.
- Pulse several times until the ingredients are finely chopped.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while the food processor is running.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth while still retaining a little texture.
- Add the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
- Pulse again until everything is well combined.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
- Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container for storage.
Notes
- Substitute walnuts, almonds, or cashews for pine nuts if desired.
- Combine basil with spinach or arugula for a different flavor profile.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes for a richer variation.
- For a dairy-free version, replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/homemade-pesto-2/
