Description
This Easiest Basil Pesto Sauce is the ultimate quick-fix condiment to elevate your meals. Made with fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, pine nuts, and extra virgin olive oil, it blends into a velvety, bright green sauce that’s perfect for pasta, sandwiches, dips, or marinades. Store it in the fridge or freezer and add a burst of flavor to your dishes whenever needed.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Instructions
1. Lightly toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let them cool slightly.
2. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves and garlic. Pulse until roughly chopped.
3. Add the toasted pine nuts and grated Parmesan. Pulse again until the mixture is finely minced.
4. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto is emulsified and smooth.
5. Add salt to taste and blend one final time. Scrape down the sides as needed.
6. Store in an airtight container. Add a thin layer of olive oil on top to preserve freshness.
Notes
For a more vibrant green color, blanch basil leaves quickly in hot water, then plunge into ice water before blending.
Swap pine nuts with walnuts or almonds for a budget-friendly variation.
Store pesto in ice cube trays for easy portioning and use in recipes later.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 0.2g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: basil pesto, homemade pesto, fresh sauce