Easy Basil Pesto

Whip up a batch of vibrant, homemade flavor in just 10 minutes with this Easy Basil Pesto recipe! Packed with the fresh, aromatic notes of basil, creamy Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, and a hint of garlic, this classic Italian sauce is perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or drizzling over roasted vegetables. The extra-virgin olive oil gives it a luxuriously smooth texture, while a touch of salt and freshly ground black pepper enhances every bite. With just seven simple ingredients and no cooking required, this quick and versatile pesto is a must-have in your kitchen repertoire. Make it fresh and enjoy the bold, herbaceous taste that transforms any dish into a culinary masterpiece!

Nutriscore Rating: 38/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cups Pine nuts
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 pieces Garlic cloves
• 0.5 cups Extra-virgin olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper, freshly ground

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and pat dry the fresh basil leaves to remove any dirt or grit.

Step 2

In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the pine nuts for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.

Step 3

In a food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves.

Step 4

Pulse the mixture a few times until it starts to break down into a coarse texture.

Step 5

With the food processor running on low speed, gradually drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 6

Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, then pulse one last time to incorporate the seasoning.

Step 7

Scrape the pesto into a bowl or jar. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 8

Use immediately with your favorite pasta or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	234.4 grams (234.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1460

Total Fat 154.40g	198%
Saturated Fat 26.10g	131%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.50g
Cholesterol 40mg	13%
Sodium 1864mg	81%
Total Carbohydrate 8.10g	3%
Dietary Fiber 2.90g	10%
Total Sugars 1.20g
Protein 22.40g	45%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 510mg	39%
Iron 3mg	19%
Potassium 360mg	8%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 91.9%

Protein: 5.9%

Carbs: 2.1%