5 from 15 votes
Basil Pesto
Basil Pesto is made by blending fresh basil leaves with parsley, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil until smooth. The combination creates a vibrant green sauce with herbal brightness and nutty richness, balanced by the saltiness of Parmesan and the warm aroma of garlic. This versatile pesto complements pasta or can be used as a condiment or spread.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings:
8
servings (2 tbsp each)
Calories:
166 kcal
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 2 cups basil packed, fresh leaves
- 1 cup parsley packed (see note 1, fresh
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (see note 2)
- 3 cloves garlic (see note 3)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, add basil, parsley, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until coarsely chopped, about 10 pulses.
- With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and process until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Adding fresh parsley helps keep pesto bright green by preventing basil from darkening.
- To enhance pine nut flavor, lightly toast them in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant, stirring occasionally for 2 to 5 minutes.
- Roasting whole unpeeled garlic cloves in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until softened and browned (about 20 to 25 minutes) can mellow raw garlic’s sharpness.
- This recipe yields about 1 cup of pesto, enough for roughly 1 pound of pasta or 8 servings (2 tablespoons each).
- Store covered pesto in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; add a thin layer of olive oil on top to minimize oxidation.
Nutrition Information
Serving
2 tbsp
Calories
166kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
2mg
(1%)
Sodium
55mg
(2%)
Potassium
92mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
974IU
(19%)
Vitamin C
11mg
(12%)
Calcium
61mg
(6%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings (2 tbsp each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 166
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2 tbsp | |
| Calories | 166kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 2mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 55mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 92mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 974IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 61mg | 6% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.