BASIL PESTO RECIPE

What is Pesto?

Pesto is a sauce of crushed basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. There are so many different foods that you can put pesto on. Some of them include pasta, paninis, sandwiches, pizza, breakfast foods, etc.! Pesto is fresh and full of flavor. I also love it’s bold green color- it’s so beautiful! And did you know that it is SO easy to make at home? I like to make big batches of this yummy pesto and freeze most of it to use later when I need it. Having fresh pesto on hand is super convenient.

Favorite Pesto Sauce

Pesto is one of my favorite sauces! I love that is tastes delicious with so many of my favorite foods. Slather it onto a piece of sourdough bread along with some grilled chicken and cheese to make a melty panini! Or use it as the main sauce for a homemade pizza. Mix it up with some bowtie pasta and a little parmesan cheese for a delicious pasta salad. YUM right?? So many possibilities!

Homemade pesto makes a cute little gift idea too. Put it into a pretty container or mason jar, wrap it up, and gift it along with some pasta noodles or a loaf of bread. Adorable right? That would be such a cute gift to drop off to a new neighbor or a good friend!

How to Make Pesto

I think that homemade pesto tastes better than the store bought kind. That’s usually the case with anything homemade, in my opinion. Not only is this pesto incredible tasting, but it’s one of the simplest recipes ever! You basically throw everything into the food processor and you’re pretty much done.

Make sure you have fresh herbs for this recipe. It will make all the difference!

1. Pulse the basil, parsley, and garlic in a food processor until combined.
2. Add in the pine nuts and process until the mixture is fine. (This is about 1 minute all together).
3. Then grind in the cheese!
4. Add in the lemon juice as the machine is running and then drizzle in the olive oil. Mix mix mix until all combined. Then pour the pesto into whatever container you’d like.
5. Add a little salt and pepper and you’re DONE!

You will need to salt and pepper the homemade pesto until you think it has the perfect taste. We love how it turned out and can’t wait to use it on some of our favorite dishes.

Pesto Sauce

Homemade pesto that you will fall in love with how delicious it is. Put it on all of your favorite foods or use a sauce for pizzas and in pastas.

Course Dressing

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Pesto

Prep Time 15 minutes

Servings 2 cups

Calories 1404 kcal

Author Kristyn Merkley

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups fresh basil leaves packed
• 1/4 cup parsley
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 cup pine nuts
• 1 1/2 cups Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese shredded
• 1 TB lemon juice
• 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Using a food processor, pulse basil, parsley, and garlic for about 30 seconds until combined and basil is finely chopped. Add pine nuts and process until fine, about 30 seconds more. Grind in cheese.
2. While machine is running, add lemon juice and slowly drizzle in olive oil. Mix until fully incorporated and pesto is thoroughly combined. Transfer to a bowl, and salt and pepper to taste.

RECIPE NOTES

TRIED & TRUE FINDINGS:

• DIFFICULTY: easy
• HOW MANY DOES IT FEED: 2 cups
• ANY CHANGES MADE: added more olive oil, used minced garlic
• ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT TIME: none