Walnut Basil Pesto
Elevate your culinary creations with this rich and nutty Walnut Basil Pesto, a quick and versatile sauce bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Made with fresh basil leaves, earthy walnuts, and savory Parmesan cheese, this 10-minute recipe is a delightful twist on the classic pesto. A hint of zesty lemon juice and aromatic garlic bring brightness, while extra-virgin olive oil ties it all together for a smooth or chunky texture—customized to your preference. Perfect as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, or veggie dip, this pesto brings a gourmet touch to any dish. Plus, it’s easy to prepare ahead and store, making it a must-have for busy weeknight meals. Say goodbye to store-bought pesto and hello to homemade flavor-packed perfection!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cups Walnuts
- 0.5 cups Grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 cups Extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
Instructions
Add the fresh basil leaves, walnuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves to a food processor or blender.
Pulse the mixture a few times to break down the ingredients.
Add the fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Pulse a few more times to combine.
While the food processor or blender is running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil. Blend until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. For a chunkier pesto, blend less; for a smoother pesto, blend longer.
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if needed by adding more salt or pepper.
Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and refrigerate if not using immediately. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
Use the walnut basil pesto as a sauce for pasta, a spread for sandwiches, a dip for vegetables, or in any recipe that calls for pesto.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1628 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 170.5 g | 219% | |
| Saturated Fat | 28.1 g | 140% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 28.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 1865 mg | 81% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 12.9 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.7 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.9 g | ||
| Protein | 26.9 g | 54% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 563 mg | 43% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 439 mg | 9% | |
*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.
