Easy Basil Pesto
Whip up a batch of vibrant, homemade flavor in just 10 minutes with this Easy Basil Pesto recipe! Packed with the fresh, aromatic notes of basil, creamy Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, and a hint of garlic, this classic Italian sauce is perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or drizzling over roasted vegetables. The extra-virgin olive oil gives it a luxuriously smooth texture, while a touch of salt and freshly ground black pepper enhances every bite. With just seven simple ingredients and no cooking required, this quick and versatile pesto is a must-have in your kitchen repertoire. Make it fresh and enjoy the bold, herbaceous taste that transforms any dish into a culinary masterpiece!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cups Pine nuts
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cups Extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Rinse and pat dry the fresh basil leaves to remove any dirt or grit.
In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the pine nuts for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
In a food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves.
Pulse the mixture a few times until it starts to break down into a coarse texture.
With the food processor running on low speed, gradually drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, then pulse one last time to incorporate the seasoning.
Scrape the pesto into a bowl or jar. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Use immediately with your favorite pasta or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1460 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 154.4 g | 198% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.1 g | 131% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 1864 mg | 81% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.1 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.2 g | ||
| Protein | 22.4 g | 45% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 510 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 360 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
