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–+ servings
big bowl of basil pesto

How To Make Fresh Basil Pesto

Basil pesto is a classic sauce that is easy to make. Try adding it to almost any type of salad, meat or veggie for a new delicious flavor!
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Course: food & recipes, from scratch recipes
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: basil, basil pesto, easy recipe, easy sauce, how to make pesto, pesto, pesto recipe
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 621kcal
Author: Deborah McDonald
Cost: 6

Ingredients

  • 2 cups basil leaves fresh, packed
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1/2 cup olive oil extra-virgin
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts toasted
  • 3 cloves garlic peeled
  • Salt and black pepper freshly ground, to taste

Instructions

  • Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool.
    toasting pine nuts to make basil pesto
  • Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.
    Basil, pine nuts, olive oil and garlic in a food processor for making basil pesto
  • Add the parmesan cheese and pulse again until everything is well combined.
    making basil pesto using a food processor
  • With the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
    basil, pine nuts, olive oil and garlic blended in a food processor for making basil pesto
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Your homemade pesto is now ready! You can use it immediately or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy!
    fresh basil pesto in an airtight jar to be stored in the fridge

Video

Notes

Tips And Tricks For Making Basil Pesto
  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. This includes fresh basil leaves, good quality olive oil, and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
  • Toasting the pine nuts before adding them to the pesto will bring out their nutty flavor.
  • If you don't have a food processor, you can use a blender or even a mortar and pestle to make the pesto.
  • If the pesto is too thick, you can thin it out with a little bit of pasta water.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 621kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 1858mg | Potassium: 521mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3202IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 736mg | Iron: 5mg
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