Description
A quick and easy Basil Pesto recipe made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/3 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash and dry the basil leaves well.
- Toast the pine nuts lightly in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
- In a food processor, add the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, and minced garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add grated Parmesan cheese and pulse to mix.
- With the processor running, pour in the extra-virgin olive oil slowly until emulsified.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Use the pesto right away or store in an airtight jar.
Notes
Use good-quality olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor. If pine nuts are hard to find, consider using walnuts or almonds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dressing
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 tablespoons
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg