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Pesto Recipe

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  • Author: Kim Cooks Easy
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: About 1 cup (enough for 4 servings of pasta) 1x
  • Category: Sauce, Condiment
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

Fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor, this classic pesto recipe uses basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil to create a rich and aromatic sauce. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, pizzas, or as a dip, this homemade pesto is a simple yet delicious way to bring Mediterranean flavors to your meals.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • :
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts (or walnuts as an alternative)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano)
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for extra freshness)

Instructions

  • :
  • In a food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until everything is coarsely chopped.
  • Add the grated Parmesan cheese and pulse a few more times to combine.
  • With the processor running, slowly stream in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth and well-blended. If you prefer a thicker pesto, use less oil.
  • Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste.
  • Transfer to a bowl and serve immediately with your favorite pasta, on a sandwich, or as a dip. If not using right away, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

  • :
  • If you don’t have pine nuts, you can substitute them with walnuts or even almonds for a different flavor.
  • To keep the pesto from turning brown, you can cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil before sealing the container.
  • Pesto can be frozen! Just portion it into ice cube trays and freeze for later use.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 170
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 16g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 5mg