Basil Pesto Recipe
This vibrant and flavorful Basil Pesto recipe combines toasted pine nuts, fresh basil leaves, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil into a rich, aromatic sauce. Perfect for tossing with pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or using as a dip, this easy-to-make pesto brings a fresh burst of Italian flavor with minimal ingredients and just minutes of preparation.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Ingredients
- ½ cup toasted pine nuts
- Juice from ½ lemon (about 1 ½ tablespoons)
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper to taste
- ⅓ cup quality extra-virgin olive oil (plus more as needed)
- ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Add the toasted pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic cloves, kosher salt, black pepper, extra-virgin olive oil, and grated Parmesan cheese to a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend for about 1 minute until the mixture is smooth but still has some small chunks for texture.
- Add the basil: Incorporate the fresh basil leaves into the blender and pulse again for 1 to 2 minutes until the pesto is fully combined and smooth. Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning by adding more salt and pepper as desired.
- Adjust consistency: If a thinner pesto sauce is preferred, add up to 2 more tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil and blend briefly to combine.
- Store properly: Transfer leftover pesto into a jar and drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on the surface to prevent browning. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze pesto in an airtight container or in ice cube trays for individual portioning. Thaw frozen pesto overnight in the refrigerator before use.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality basil for the best flavor.
- To toast pine nuts, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Pesto can be used as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, pizza topping, or dip.
- Freezing pesto in ice cube trays makes it easy to thaw just the right amount for one serving.
- Adjust olive oil quantity for desired sauce thickness.
Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/basil-pesto-recipe/
