Quick and Delicious Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe
This classic basil pesto recipe is so easy to make and requires just a few ingredients! Enjoy basil pesto as an appetizer with crusty bread, mixed into pasta, on pizza and much more!
Equipment
- 1 Food processor (or blender)
- 1 Small frying pan (to toast the pine nuts)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 1 large garlic clove halved
- 2 ½ cups fresh basil leaves lightly packed
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- In a dry pan, toast the pine nuts until they just begin to get some color on them (2-3 minutes). Remove and let cool.¼ cup pine nuts
- Add all ingredients to a food processor. Begin processing for about 10 seconds. Use a spatula to scrape the sides of the food processor as needed. Continue to process until there is a uniform consistency. Taste and add more salt or lemon juice as desired.1 large garlic clove, 2 ½ cups fresh basil leaves, ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, ⅓ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- Transfer the pesto to an air-tight glass container with a small amount of olive oil layered on top of the pesto to prevent the pesto from browning from contact with the air.
Notes
If desired, boil the garlic clove in water for 30 seconds to 1 minute before using to reduce the assertiveness of the garlic. This removes that sharp garlicky flavor of raw garlic.
A serving of pesto is about ¼ cup per person.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 245kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 4gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 683mgPotassium: 105mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 843IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 104mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
