Basil Walnut Pesto
This Basil Walnut Pesto combines fresh basil and parsley with Parmesan cheese, toasted walnuts, garlic, and olive oil to create a vibrant, herbaceous sauce. The walnuts add a deep, nutty flavor that complements the fresh herbs, while the garlic and Parmesan provide savory depth. The pesto has a smooth yet slightly coarse texture, achieved by pulsing the ingredients before blending with oil. It’s ideal for tossing with pasta, spreading on bread, or using as a dip, offering a fresh green sauce with robust flavor and a pleasant richness from the nuts and cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 cups basil packed, fresh leaves
- 1 cup parsley packed (see note 1, fresh
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese about 1 ounce, freshly grated
- 1/4 cup walnuts about 1 ounce (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, walnuts, 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.
Notes
- Add fresh parsley along with basil to help preserve the bright green color when processing.
- Toast walnuts in a skillet over medium heat for 2 to 5 minutes to enhance their flavor before blending.
- Roasting garlic cloves slowly until darkened softens their sharpness for a milder taste alternative.
- Store pesto covered with a layer of olive oil in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to prevent browning.
- Freeze pesto in a jar with olive oil topping and headspace for up to 6 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Pine nuts or other nuts like almonds, pecans, cashews, or hazelnuts can be substituted for walnuts if desired.
- To add heat, include crushed red pepper flakes in the food processor before blending.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings (2 tbsp each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 161
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2 tbsp | |
| Calories | 161kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 2mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 55mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 83mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 974IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 64mg | 6% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.