4.9 from 39 votes
Easy Classic Basil Pesto
Basil Pesto, is easy and can be made in five minutes with a few ingredients. A classic Italian recipe that makes even pasta to pizza more delicious.
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 1157 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1¾ ounces fresh basil (about 4 cups) (50 grams)
- 5 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese (32 grams)
- 2 tablespoons Pecorino cheese (13 grams)
- ⅓ cup olive oil (72 grams)
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts (heaping soup spoon)
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place the food processor container and blade in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
- Meanwhile wash and dry fresh basil leaves.
- Remove the container and blade from the refrigerator. Add ⅓ basil leaves, half the salt, ⅓ of the olive oil and pulse to combine. Add another ⅓ of the basil leaves and pulse to combine add the remaining basil leaves and pulse.
- Add the pine nuts, Parmesan Cheese and Pecorino, another ⅓ olive oil, remaining salt and pulse to combine, add remaining olive oil and garlic, pulse on high to combine. Serve over cooked pasta. Enjoy!
- **Makes approximately 1 cup pesto, I served half over 3 cups cooked Penne Pasta with a little olive oil drizzled and tossed. Left over Pesto should be refrigerated.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- It should be stored in a jar with a tight fitting lid or an airtight container. Cover the pesto with a drizzle of olive oil before closing, then store in the refrigerator for approximately 5 days.
- You can also freeze pesto in freezer safe jars, containers, freezer bags or even ice cube trays. It will keep for up to 6 months. Thaw the pesto completely at room temperature before using.
Nutrition Information
Calories
1157kcal
(58%)
Carbohydrates
11g
(4%)
Protein
19g
(38%)
Fat
119g
(183%)
Saturated Fat
21g
(105%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
15g
Monounsaturated Fat
76g
Cholesterol
43mg
(14%)
Sodium
1525mg
(64%)
Potassium
381mg
(11%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
3838IU
(77%)
Vitamin C
15mg
(17%)
Calcium
572mg
(57%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1cup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1157
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1157kcal | 58% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 119g | 183% |
| Saturated Fat | 21g | 105% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 15g | 88% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 76g | 380% |
| Cholesterol | 43mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 1525mg | 64% |
| Potassium | 381mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 3838IU | 77% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 572mg | 57% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.