Description
A vibrant and aromatic sauce made with fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, blended to a creamy consistency. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (or walnuts)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, to preserve color and add brightness)
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine basil leaves, garlic, and pine nuts. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- Add Parmesan cheese and pulse a few more times to combine.
- While the processor is running, slowly stream in olive oil until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
- Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- You can substitute pine nuts with walnuts or almonds for a different flavor profile.
- For a vegan version, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- To preserve color, press plastic wrap directly against the surface of the pesto before sealing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
