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