Basic Basil Pesto Recipe
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Fresh Basil Pesto is the perfect addition to so many recipes or just enjoyed atop a piece of toast. It’s super easy to make too.
Basil Pesto is a favorite recipe of mine, not to mention, easy breezy. And it’s green, so it has to be sorta, kinda healthy, right? Please don’t let me know if it’s really bad for you, I’d just rather not know. When paired with bruschetta (garlic toast for you fellow rednecks) or pasta, pesto is favoloso! (That would be fabulous in Italian. No, I don’t speak Italian, I cheated and looked it up.) And when fresh basil is available, pesto is the way to go.
You’ll need a few simple ingredients: basil (of course), garlic cloves, pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, grated parmesan cheese, plus a little bit of salt and pepper to taste.
Begin by chopping the garlic and pine nuts first in a food processor. Pulse a few times. (I don’t think the order of chopping matters I just like to make sure the garlic and pine nuts are finely chopped by the end, so I start with them.) Add the basil and pulse a few more times. Next, slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is running. (That itty bitty hole in the circular thingy in the lid of the processor is great for this, except it could be a little bigger.) Scrape down the sides of the processor and add the grated cheese, pulse again to blend.
Salt and pepper to taste.There, that was easy, huh?
Again this is a basic basil pesto recipe. If you don’t have exact amounts of each ingredient it should still work well just make sure it’s not too oily. After you make it a few times, it’ll be something that you just “eyeball” for correct proportions. I promise. It’s that easy.
Enjoy!
Basic Basil Pesto Recipe tips:
- Basil is one of those herbs that’s worth the effort to grow your own. A small pack of basil around here runs $2-4.00 for just a little bit, while you can get a pack of seeds for a dollar or two. It’s super easy to grow. I wouldn’t tell you a fib either – try it.
- I have substituted walnuts and even pistachios for the pine nuts before. Or if you have a nut allergy, I have made the pesto with out any nuts at all. Pesto is good all the different ways!
- A food processor or blender is really the best way to get the perfect pesto consistency. It can be made by hand chopping the ingredients but it will take a long time and not be quite the same texture.
This Creamy Pesto Pasta is the perfect place to use this pesto recipe. It’s perfectly pleasing!
Basic Basil Pesto Recipe
Basic Basil Pesto Recipe
This classic basil pesto recipe is easy to make and perfect for using with pasta or as a dip for veggies.
Ingredients
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop garlic and pine nuts in food processor. Pulse a few times.
- Add the basil and pulse a few more times.
- Add the olive oil slowly while the food processor is running.
- Scrape down the sides of the processor, add the grated cheese, pulse again to blend. (A lot of pulsing, I know.)
- Salt and pepper to taste.
You know, I’ve never made pesto before… how can that be?
I have made a version with cilatro and macadamia nuts instead. Although it might not be pesto without the basil.
I love pesto! Yum. Also, your photos are just incredible. Love the garlic.
Pesto is such a great all around sauce! You can do so much with it. Your photos are just gorgeous! Every one of them looks so professional!
Great recipe! I used it to make Pesto Pinwheels (puff pastry w pesto & parmesan) and they turned out great. Thanks!
Actually, what is missing is Pecorino Romano grated cheese (the original Italian cheese, not an imitation).
Being salty, one puts usually 2/3 of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (again, the original Italian cheese, not an adventurous Argentinian fake…) and 1/3 of grated Pecorino Romano.
Also, I have never seen pesto with pepper. It has no business whatsoever in there.
I use pepper all the time in my pesto recipe as I don’t use salt-don’t like salt, besides there’s enough in the cheese-I personally believe it DOES belong there-you can’t say pepper doesn’t belong, it’s personal choice!
Thanks Susan
I went to the store the other day to get some pine nuts, and found them to be a “bit” too far out of my price range. Anything else you would suggest, or do I even need to use nuts?
Hey Zach!
I’ve used walnuts before. I’ve also made it without any nuts at all. You’ll need to watch for consistency — maybe not add as much olive oil. It’s a little different from the original, but still quite tasty!
Thanks for the feedback. I just want to make sure, but it should be like a paste when it’s done then, right? I’m wanting to make sure I do this right since it sounds so yummy.
Yes, it should be like a wet paste or hummus consistency.
Looks yummy!!!
How long will the pesto last in the fridge for?
TIA
hi! first time cook here and in love with eating pesto dishes. Can I ask, what is the difference with this kind of pesto from the bottled ones we can find in supermarkets? Are they the same thing?
Making this Pesto for the second time in a few weeks. Absolutely delicious and so easy. I know I will be making this for years to come. Thanks Amy!
You’re very welcome! It’s such a favorite here too!
Served your pesto to mhusband… he loved it! And its so simple.thanks
I just want to say that I just found your website today, and I love it. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your photos and recipes with us all.
How much of this would i need to serve 7 people?
Hmmm .. it would depend on how you are using it. If tossing with pasta, 1 to 1 1/2 full recipe amount should work.
The Best basil pesto ever! Hey Amy, my sister in law asked me if I had a good pesto recipe . I remember the first time I had it was at your house and I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make. It is getting to be that time of year again, lots of basil. Hope you are doing well!
I agree with one of the previous comments. Pesto, where have you been all my life? I’ve always wanted to make it, had no idea how ridiculously easy it is and how flavorful. Oh my wow! I had some leftover chicken picatta, sautéed some zoodles, a little spaghetti and added the pesto. One pot super easy and delicious. Our kids LOVE LOVE LOVE it. And they are super picky🤔 They even spotted the zoodles I tried to sneak in and just continued eating like there was no tomorrow since it was so tasty😋 This will definitely be a go to and in the regular rotation. Thanks 👍🏽
What if I don’t have a food processor?
My good friend, Georgia Pellegrini, explains how to make pesto without a food processor right here: https://georgiapellegrini.com/2019/02/08/food-drink/how-to-make-pesto-without-a-food-processor/
How far ahead can you make and store this
I make it and keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.