Easy Basil Pesto

Use this classic easy basil pesto recipe in appetizers, toppings and many of our recipes incorporating pesto.

A perfect way to use up your summer garden basil.

Process garlic, basil, oil, walnuts or pine nuts, Parmesan cheese in a processor and voila. Pesto in 5 minutes. Check out a few of our recipes below that use pesto. One of our most popular recipes is Pesto and Vegetable Orzo.

Make Ahead

• Pesto lasts 5-7 days in the fridge.
• I freeze it in ziploc bags in 1/4 cup portions to use whenever I need pesto. Lasts 3-4 months in the freezer.

Shortcuts

• Use minced or crushed garlic in a jar or tube
• Buy shredded or ground fresh Parmesan cheese

Recipe ideas for fresh basil

• cauliflower rice recipe with pesto
• pesto orzo and vegetables
• grilled pesto shrimp panzanella
• pesto ricotta crostini appetizers

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5 from 6 votes

Easy Basil Pesto

Process garlic, basil, oil, walnuts or pine nuts and Parmesan cheese in a processor and voila. Classic basil pesto in 5 minutes. A perfect way to use up that summer garden basil. (makes 1/2 cup)

Prep Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: sauces and spreads

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 8 tablespoons

US CustomaryMetric

1x2x3x

Author: Cheryl

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

US Customary – Metric

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1/4 cup pinenuts or walnuts
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 small cloves (or teaspoons) garlic
• 1/2 cup olive oil

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• MAKE THE PESTO: Grind pine nuts (or walnuts) and garlic in a food processor for a minute. Add basil leaves and process for another minute. Slowly add in oil from the feeder tube until combined. Add Parmesan cheese and process a few more seconds. Freezes well.

Notes

Make ahead:

• Pesto lasts 5-7 days in the fridge.
• I freeze it in ziploc bags in 1/4 cup portions to use whenever I need pesto. Lasts 3-4 months in the freezer.

 

Nutrition values are estimates using walnuts. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Easy Basil Pesto

Amount Per Serving

Calories 172 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 11g

Cholesterol 5mg2%

Sodium 110mg5%

Potassium 48mg1%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 371IU7%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 71mg7%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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