Description
Pesto is a vibrant, flavorful sauce that elevates any dish into a culinary masterpiece. This homemade pesto recipe combines fresh basil, aromatic garlic, toasted pine nuts, and rich Parmesan cheese to create a creamy green delight perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. Quick to prepare and bursting with flavor, this pesto will become an essential staple in your kitchen, making family meals and gatherings unforgettable.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients: fresh basil, garlic cloves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
- In a food processor or blender, combine basil leaves and garlic; pulse until finely chopped.
- Add toasted pine nuts and Parmesan cheese; pulse until well combined.
- With the processor running on low speed, slowly drizzle in olive oil until smooth. Adjust consistency with more oil if needed.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon (15g)
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 88mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 3mg