Pesto Green Beans
Brighten your dinner table with this vibrant and flavorful Pesto Green Beans recipe—a quick, healthy side dish that effortlessly combines freshness and decadence. Crisp-tender green beans are blanched to perfection, then coated in a luscious homemade pesto made with fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and a splash of zesty lemon juice for added brightness. The recipe’s simple technique locks in the vivid green hue of the beans while maximizing their natural crunch. Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish is ideal for busy weeknights or as a crowd-pleasing addition to holiday spreads. Serve it warm or at room temperature, and don’t forget to garnish with extra Parmesan or pine nuts for an elegant finishing touch! Perfect for lovers of farm-fresh ingredients and Italian-inspired cooking.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams green beans
- 50 grams fresh basil leaves
- 30 grams pine nuts
- 40 grams Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic
- 60 milliliters extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 liters water
- 10 pieces ice cubes
Instructions
Fill a large pot with 2 liters of water and bring it to a boil. Add a teaspoon of salt to the boiling water.
Trim the green beans by snapping off the ends or cutting them with a knife.
Once the water is boiling, add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender but still crisp.
Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with water and adding the ice cubes. Once the green beans are cooked, transfer them immediately to the ice bath to stop cooking and preserve the bright green color. Let them sit for 2 minutes, then drain and set aside.
To make the pesto, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a food processor.
With the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until the mixture becomes a smooth paste. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
In a large mixing bowl, toss the blanched green beans with the prepared pesto until evenly coated.
Serve immediately as a warm or room-temperature side dish. Garnish with extra Parmesan or pine nuts, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
268 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.2 g | 30% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.1 g | 20% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 9 mg | 3% | |
| Sodium | 579 mg | 25% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 10.9 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.1 g | 15% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.1 g | ||
| Protein | 6.8 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 210 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 363 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.
