Pesto Recipe: Easy Homemade Sauce
This classic basil pesto recipe is fresh, vibrant, and ready in just 5 minutes. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, veggies, and more!
Ingredients
- - 2 cups fresh basil leaves packed
- - 2 cloves garlic
- - 1/3 cup pine nuts
- - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- - Salt to taste
- - Optional: squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Wash the basil leaves and peel the garlic cloves.
- In a food processor, combine basil, garlic, and pine nuts. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add Parmesan cheese and pulse again.
- While processing, slowly stream in the olive oil until smooth.
- Taste and season with salt. Add lemon juice if desired.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container with a layer of oil on top.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, swap pine nuts with sunflower seeds or skip them entirely.
- Nutritional yeast can replace Parmesan for a vegan version.
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Store in fridge for up to 1 week or freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage.
- Nutritional yeast can replace Parmesan for a vegan version.
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Store in fridge for up to 1 week or freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage.