Pistachio Pesto Sauce
Elevate your pasta nights and appetizers with this vibrant, nutty Pistachio Pesto Sauce that’s as versatile as it is delicious. This unique twist on traditional pesto swaps pine nuts for shelled pistachios, adding a rich, buttery flavor and stunning green hue. Fresh basil leaves, zesty lemon juice, and a generous dose of grated Parmesan cheese come together in a food processor for a quick, no-cook condiment that’s ready in just 10 minutes. Finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a hint of garlic, this creamy pistachio pesto is perfect for tossing with pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or drizzling over roasted vegetables. It’s a surefire way to impress your guests or add gourmet flair to everyday meals, all while being easy to make ahead and store for up to a week.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted pistachios (shelled)
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 large Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 0.5 cup Olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Water (optional, for thinning)
Instructions
Add the pistachios, fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves to a food processor or blender.
Pulse the mixture a few times to roughly chop the ingredients.
Add the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the food processor.
Turn the processor on and slowly drizzle in the olive oil while blending. Blend until the mixture forms a smooth sauce. Scrape down the sides of the processor bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly combined.
If the pesto is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water, one tablespoon at a time, and blend again until desired consistency is achieved.
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
Transfer the pistachio pesto to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2183 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 197.7 g | 253% | |
| Saturated Fat | 44.8 g | 224% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 95 mg | 32% | |
| Sodium | 2994 mg | 130% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 44.5 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.9 g | 50% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.8 g | ||
| Protein | 71.5 g | 143% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1506 mg | 116% | |
| Iron | 6.7 mg | 37% | |
| Potassium | 1498 mg | 32% | |
*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.
