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Easy Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 110 reviews

This Easy Fresh Basil Pesto recipe delivers a vibrant, aromatic sauce perfect for enhancing pasta, sandwiches, or grilled vegetables. Made with toasted pine nuts, fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and extra-virgin olive oil, this pesto is quick to prepare and full of bright, savory flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Herbs and Vegetables

  • 2 cups (50g) fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 2 cloves (6g) garlic, peeled

Nuts

  • 1/3 cup (50g) pine nuts

Dairy

  • 1/2 cup (50g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Oils and Acids

  • 1/2 cup (120ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) fresh lemon juice

Seasonings

  • 1/2 tsp (3g) kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp (1g) black pepper

Instructions

  1. Toast Pine Nuts: Place the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Stir constantly for 2–3 minutes until they are fragrant and golden brown, then immediately remove from heat to prevent burning.
  2. Prepare Nut and Garlic Mixture: Add the toasted pine nuts, garlic cloves, and kosher salt to a food processor. Pulse several times until the mixture breaks down into a coarse, sandy paste.
  3. Add Basil and Lemon Juice: Add fresh basil leaves and fresh lemon juice to the food processor. Pulse in short bursts 5 to 10 times until the basil is finely chopped but still maintains a slightly rustic texture for added texture and flavor.
  4. Incorporate Olive Oil and Cheese: With the food processor running on a low speed, slowly drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil into the mixture in a steady stream to emulsify the pesto. Once emulsified, either stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese by hand or pulse once more briefly to blend everything together evenly.

Notes

  • Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning; they should be fragrant and lightly golden.
  • This pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week; cover with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent browning.
  • For a nuttier flavor, pine nuts can be substituted with walnuts or almonds.
  • Adjust salt and lemon juice to taste based on preference.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best taste and texture.

Keywords: basil pesto, fresh pesto, Italian sauce, homemade pesto, basil sauce, pesto recipe, easy pesto, pine nuts, Parmesan pesto, sauce for pasta

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/easy-fresh-basil-pesto-recipe/