5 from 8 votes
Fresh Basil Pesto
Learn how to make pesto with fresh pesto! The perfect blend that's easy and delicious.
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings:
1
c.
Calories:
1813 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 c. basil packed, no stems, fresh leaves
- 2 Tbsp pine nuts
- 3 garlic large cloves
- ½ c. Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- ½ c. extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt more to taste
- ⅛ tsp black pepper more to taste, ground
Instructions
- Place basil leaves, pine nuts and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse several times.
- Add Parmesan cheese to the bowl and pulse several more times. Scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula.
- Turn on the food processor and slowly pour in the olive oil in a steady, small stream while it’s running. This will help it emulsify and help keep the olive oil from separating. Occasionally stop and scrape the sides of the food processor down.
- Stir in salt and ground black pepper to taste.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- How to Store It: Homemade pesto will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. Keep it in an airtight container!
- How to Freeze It: I love to make a big batch at the end of the summer and freeze it in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, keep the cubes in a freezer bag and add them to your favorite dishes.
- How to Make Pesto Without a Food Processor: If you have a regular stand blender, you can use that! I recommend roughly chopping the basil and garlic first and then blend everything in the blender. Slowly pour in the oil while it’s running until the sauce is the consistency you like.
- How to Make Pesto Without Pine Nuts: The flavor will be a little different, but sometimes I use walnut or almonds instead of pine nuts. They work great.
Nutrition Information
Calories
1813kcal
(91%)
Carbohydrates
23g
(8%)
Protein
64g
(128%)
Fat
169g
(260%)
Saturated Fat
38g
(190%)
Cholesterol
104mg
(35%)
Sodium
2413mg
(101%)
Potassium
1704mg
(36%)
Fiber
9g
(36%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
25991IU
(520%)
Vitamin C
88mg
(98%)
Calcium
2172mg
(217%)
Iron
18mg
(100%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1 c.
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1813
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1813kcal | 91% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 64g | 128% |
| Fat | 169g | 260% |
| Saturated Fat | 38g | 190% |
| Cholesterol | 104mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 2413mg | 101% |
| Potassium | 1704mg | 36% |
| Fiber | 9g | 36% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 25991IU | 520% |
| Vitamin C | 88mg | 98% |
| Calcium | 2172mg | 217% |
| Iron | 18mg | 100% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.