Can I substitute the pine nuts?

Absolutely. Walnuts, pistachios, almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds all work wonderfully in this Basil Pesto Recipe .

Why is my pesto too thick?

Add olive oil one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes. Several cooks have successfully used dairy-free Parmesan alternatives or nutritional yeast with excellent results.

What if I don't have enough basil?

A small amount of parsley can be blended in without compromising flavor.

How much pesto should I use for pasta?

For a pound of cooked pasta, start with about ½ to ¾ cup pesto. If you'd like a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of cream, reserved pasta water, or a little butter.

Can I use this on proteins besides chicken?

Definitely. It's delicious on salmon, shrimp, fish, tofu, and even grilled vegetables.

Basil Pesto Recipe: Amazing 10-Minute Flavor

Name: Basil Pesto Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 cups fresh basil leaves, tightly packed; 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 cup pine nuts; 2 large garlic cloves; 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

Description

This Basil Pesto Recipe is a quick and flavorful homemade sauce made with fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s perfect for pasta, chicken, sandwiches, pizza, seafood, and vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups fresh basil leaves, tightly packed
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup pine nuts
2 large garlic cloves
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Wash and thoroughly dry the basil leaves.
Add basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to a food processor.
Process until smooth or until the desired consistency is reached.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Sweet Italian basil provides the classic pesto flavor.

Pine nuts can be replaced with walnuts, pistachios, almonds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.

Toasting the nuts before blending adds extra depth of flavor.

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese delivers the best taste and texture.

Freeze leftovers in ice cube trays for easy future portions.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Food Processor
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 205 kcal
Sugar: 0.8 g
Sodium: 180 mg
Fat: 21 g
Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 16.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 2.8 g
Fiber: 0.6 g
Protein: 3.5 g
Cholesterol: 8 mg