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A bowl of vibrant green Basil Pesto Recipe topped with a basil leaf, with fresh basil and olive oil on the side

Basil Pesto Recipe

A fresh, homemade basil pesto recipe with vibrant flavor. Quick to prepare, customizable, and way better than store-bought. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword: Alternative pesto recipes, Basil pesto pasta, Basil pesto recipe pasta, Basil pesto recipe with walnuts, Basil recipes, Best basil pesto recipe, Pesto recipe Jamie Oliver, Pesto recipe without pine nuts
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Resting: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 210kcal
Cost: $8

Equipment

  • 1 Food processor or blender (Mortar & pestle if you want it rustic)
  • 1 Rubber spatula (For scraping sides)
  • 1 Measuring Cups (Basic set)
  • 1 Sharp knife (For prepping garlic and basil)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Fresh basil leaves - Washed & dried
  • ⅓ cup Pine nuts - Toasted until fragrant
  • 3 cloves Garlic - Peeled
  • ½ cup Olive oil - Good-quality extra virgin
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese - Freshly grated
  • ½ teaspoon Salt - To taste
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice - Freshly squeezed

Instructions

  • Wash basil, toast pine nuts, peel garlic, and grate Parmesan cheese.
    Fresh ingredients for pesto on a wooden board — bunches of basil, pine nuts, garlic cloves, and a wedge of Parmesan cheese with grated cheese in a small bowl.
  • Add garlic into food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
    A food processor filled with basil, pine nuts, garlic, cheese, and olive oil, ready to be blended into pesto.
  • Add pine nuts and basil leaves gradually while pulsing consistently.
  • Slowly pour olive oil while blending everything into smooth pesto.
    A spoon scooping fresh green pesto from a glass jar, with lemon and basil leaves in the background.
  • Mix in Parmesan, salt, lemon juice, taste, and adjust flavors.
    A bowl of vibrant green Basil Pesto Recipe topped with a basil leaf, with fresh basil and olive oil on the side

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition

Serving: 30g | Calories: 210kcal (11%) | Carbohydrates: 2g (1%) | Protein: 4g (8%) | Fat: 21g (32%) | Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 6mg (2%) | Sodium: 180mg (8%) | Potassium: 80mg (2%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Vitamin A: 900IU (18%) | Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) | Calcium: 120mg (12%) | Iron: 0.6mg (3%)
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