Description
This easiest basil pesto sauce is a fresh and vibrant homemade recipe made with basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, and more. A quick no-cook pesto ready in minutes!
Ingredients
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 clove garlic
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant. This step is optional but adds flavor.
2. In a food processor, add basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan. Pulse until roughly chopped.
3. While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the pesto is smooth and thick.
4. Add salt to taste. Adjust consistency with more oil if needed. For brightness, add a splash of lemon juice.
Notes
Store pesto in an airtight container and cover the surface with olive oil to keep it fresh longer.
Freeze pesto in an ice cube tray for easy, portioned use.
Swap pine nuts for walnuts or almonds if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 125 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg