• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
    • Cheryl and Jenna
      • Dear Mom
    • SLICE OF LIFE
    • Privacy Policy
  • ALL RECIPES
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Brunch Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Main Course
    • Make Ahead Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Stews and Soups
    • Under 30 minutes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Top Tens
    • Grilled Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Sous Vide Recipes
  • REVIEWS
    • Ingredient 101’s
    • Cookbook Reviews
  • Subscribe

Two Kooks In The Kitchen

Easy to follow, adaptable recipes for the busy home cook.

Home » ALL RECIPES » Classic Basil Pesto

May 28, 2019

Classic Basil Pesto

Yum
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Use this classic basil pesto recipe in appetizers, toppings and many of our recipes incorporating pesto. A perfect way to use up your summer garden basil.

Basil Pesto. Classic recipe with basil, walnuts, Parmesan, garlic and olive oil.

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.
Basil Pesto. Classic recipe with basil, walnuts, Parmesan, garlic and olive oil.
Print Recipe Pin Save Recipe Recipe Saved!

Rate this recipe here

5 from 3 votes

Classic Basil Pesto Recipe

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
Author: Cheryl

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

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.
Tried this recipe?We'd love you to rate it above under 'rate this recipe' or in the comment section below. Thanks!

Here are a few recipes to use with classic basil pesto:

Pesto Orzo and Vegetables
pesto and vegetable orzo in a bowl with vine tomatoes beside bowl
A taste of summer, Pesto Orzo and Vegetables is a super flavorful, healthy dish with pesto, spinach, green beans and tomatoes. Ready in 20 minutes.
Get the recipe
Grilled Pesto Shrimp Panzanella
Grilled Pesto Shrimp Panzanella on a plate
Grilled Pesto Shrimp Panzanella combines fresh tomatoes, grilled bread, plump shrimp and pesto. Summer backyard fare at its best.
Get the recipe
Pesto Ricotta Crostini Appetizers
Peach, Pesto, Ricotta Appetizers. Just a few minutes to put together if you have pesto on hand. Flavour combination is amazing!
Guests rave about these Pesto Ricotta Crostini appetizers.  So simple to make and the flavor combination is fantastic.
Get the recipe
Cauliflower 'Rice' Recipe with Pesto
Cauliflower 'rice' with Pesto in a bowl
Healthy and low in calories, this Cauliflower 'Rice' recipe with Pesto is a vibrant side dish bursting with basil, spinach, garlic, lemon and Parmesan flavors.
Get the recipe

 

Filed Under: ALL RECIPES, Make Ahead Recipes, Under 30 minutes, Vegetarian Recipes Tagged With: basil pesto recipe

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Two Kooks, Cheryl and Jenna

Cheryl and Jenna

Two Kooks, Cheryl and Jenna

We're Two Kooks (mom and daughter) sharing recipes and tips for the busy home cook that are researched and tested, adaptable to your taste, easy to follow and delish. Check us out! Read More…

Get a weekly email with new recipes

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Categories

  • ALL RECIPES
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Brunch Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Grilled Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Main Course
    • Make Ahead Recipes
    • Sauces, Dressings, Condiments, Jams
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Sous Vide Recipes
    • Stews and Soups
    • Under 30 minutes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
  • REVIEWS
    • Cookbook Reviews
  • SLICE OF LIFE
  • THE BARE ESSENTIALS
  • TOP 10….

Copyright© 2021 · Brunch Pro Theme by Shay Bocks