Simple Roasted Garlic Pesto
Elevate your pesto game with this Simple Roasted Garlic Pesto, a luxurious twist on the classic Italian favorite. Featuring the deep, caramelized sweetness of oven-roasted garlic paired with vibrant fresh basil, nutty Parmesan cheese, and buttery pine nuts, this pesto is effortlessly creamy and bursting with flavor. A hint of lemon juice brightens the richness, while extra virgin olive oil ties it all together. Perfect as a versatile sauce for pasta, a flavorful spread for sandwiches, or a dipping condiment, this recipe is easy to prepare with just 10 minutes of prep and yields enough to serve a crowd or to store for future meals. Discover the magic of roasted garlic in this irresistible pesto that’s sure to become a kitchen staple!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 Garlic bulb
- 4 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.33 cup Pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Slice off the top of the garlic bulb, exposing the tops of the cloves. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the exposed garlic, then wrap the bulb in aluminum foil.
Roast the garlic in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the cloves are soft and golden brown. Let cool slightly.
Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and transfer them to a food processor.
Add the fresh basil, grated parmesan cheese, pine nuts, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the food processor.
Pulse the mixture a few times to roughly combine the ingredients.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil until the pesto has a smooth, creamy consistency. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice, if desired.
Transfer the pesto to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1320 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 111.5 g | 143% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.3 g | 132% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 15.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 80 mg | 27% | |
| Sodium | 2564 mg | 111% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 53.5 g | 19% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.1 g | 22% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.0 g | ||
| Protein | 48.5 g | 97% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1188 mg | 91% | |
| Iron | 6.2 mg | 34% | |
| Potassium | 962 mg | 20% | |
*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.
