Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe
This Homemade Basil Pesto recipe is a quick and flavorful sauce made from fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Perfect for adding a burst of fresh, herby taste to pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip, this easy-to-make pesto can be prepared in just 10 minutes using a food processor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Ingredients
- ½ cup pine nuts
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 2-3 tablespoons)
- 3 cups fresh basil leaves, tightly packed
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, grated or shredded
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more as desired
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pulse pine nuts, garlic, and lemon juice: Add the pine nuts, garlic cloves, and lemon juice into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse about 10 times until they are broken up and combined.
- Add basil and parmesan: Next, add the fresh basil leaves and grated parmesan cheese to the food processor. Pulse about 10 more times until the basil is broken down into small pieces and thoroughly mixed.
- Drizzle in olive oil: With the food processor running on low speed, slowly drizzle in ⅓ cup of extra virgin olive oil. Continue adding more olive oil as desired to achieve a smoother and creamier pesto consistency.
- Season to taste: Finally, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference. Give the pesto a quick blend to incorporate the seasoning evenly before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan for best flavor and texture.
- Toast pine nuts lightly in a dry skillet before blending for a nuttier taste (optional).
- Pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To prevent browning, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top before storing.
- Adjust garlic amount to taste based on preference for pungency.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger servings.
Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/homemade-basil-pesto-recipe/
