Homemade Pesto
Elevate your meals with the vibrant, fresh flavors of homemade pesto—the ultimate versatile sauce that comes together in just 10 minutes! This simple yet irresistible recipe features a blend of fragrant basil leaves, nutty Parmesan cheese, rich pine nuts, and zesty garlic, all emulsified with silky extra-virgin olive oil and brightened with a splash of lemon juice. Perfectly seasoned with a touch of salt and pepper, this classic pesto is a creamy, herbaceous delight that’s ideal for pasta, sandwiches, grilled meats, or as a dip for crusty bread. With no cooking required, this quick and easy pesto recipe is your new go-to for adding a burst of flavor to any dish. Make it fresh today or store it for later—either way, your taste buds will thank you!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups (packed) Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup (grated) Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup Pine nuts
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 0.5 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 0.125 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
Instructions
Wash and thoroughly dry the fresh basil leaves.
In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic cloves. Pulse the mixture a few times until it starts to break down.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue processing until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Scrape down the sides of the food processor to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
Add salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Pulse a few more times to mix everything evenly.
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning as needed (add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your preference).
Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Alternatively, it can be frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
253 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 26.0 g | 33% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5 g | 23% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 7 mg | 2% | |
| Sodium | 136 mg | 6% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2.2 g | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.9 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.3 g | ||
| Protein | 4.2 g | 8% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 104 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 1.1 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 108 mg | 2% | |
*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.
