Roasted Garlic Basil Pesto
Elevate your pesto game with this Roasted Garlic Basil Pesto, a vibrant and flavor-packed sauce that combines the earthy sweetness of oven-roasted garlic with the bright, herbaceous punch of fresh basil. Toasted pine nuts and grated Parmesan cheese lend a rich, nutty dimension, while a splash of zesty lemon juice adds just the right amount of tang. Made creamy and luxurious with extra virgin olive oil, this versatile pesto is perfect for dressing up pasta, slathering onto crusty bread, or even serving as a dip. Ready in just 45 minutes, this easy, homemade pesto recipe is a must-try for garlic lovers and basil enthusiasts alike. Plus, you can store it for up to a week, making it an ideal make-ahead option for quick, aromatic meals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups (packed) Fresh basil leaves
- 1 head Garlic
- 0.5 cups (grated) Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cups Pine nuts
- 0.5 cups Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Cut off the top of the garlic head, exposing the cloves inside. Drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast in the oven for 30 minutes, or until cloves are soft and golden brown.
While the garlic roasts, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Remove from heat and let cool.
Once the roasted garlic has cooled, squeeze the cloves out of their skins into a food processor.
Add the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the food processor.
Pulse the ingredients for a few seconds until coarsely combined.
While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to preference.
Serve immediately with pasta, spread onto bread, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1534 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 152.0 g | 195% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.6 g | 138% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 44 mg | 15% | |
| Sodium | 1307 mg | 57% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 22.9 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.5 g | 23% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.0 g | ||
| Protein | 27.4 g | 55% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 696 mg | 54% | |
| Iron | 7.5 mg | 42% | |
| Potassium | 785 mg | 17% | |
*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.
