4.8 from 30 votes
Basil Walnut Pesto
This easy Basil Walnut Pesto can be made in 10 minutes with just 5 ingredients - Fresh basil leaves, walnuts, garlic, parmesan, and olive oil.
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 4 (about 1 cup)
Calories: 245 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese or Romano
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt adjust to taste
- pepper freshly ground, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Place the basil leaves and walnuts in the bowl of a food processor and pulse several times to break them down.
- Add garlic, cheese and pulse again until they are all mixed. Scrape the sides if needed.
- In a steady stream add olive oil and pulse until it is blended with the ingredients.
- Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped on pasta or as a spread on sandwiches.
- Use immediately or store in an air tight jar to retain freshness. If you plan to store for longer, add more olive oil on the top so the pesto is not exposed to any air.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Walnuts can be replaced with pine nuts or almonds.
- For variation, you can add parsley or cilantro or spinach or kale to this recipe, along with basil.
- Another great addition to pesto is lemon juice. So add a squeeze to your taste.
- To store pesto in a refrigerator, keep in an air tight container and add a thin layer of olive oil on top.
- To freeze, omit the cheese (which does not freeze well) and store in ice cube trays, so you can remove the amount needed at a time.
Nutrition Information
Calories
245kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
25g
(38%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
14g
Cholesterol
6mg
(2%)
Sodium
135mg
(6%)
Potassium
82mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
700IU
(14%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
130mg
(13%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4(about 1 cup)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 245
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 245kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 6mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 135mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 82mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 700IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 130mg | 13% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.