5 from 15 votes
Fresh Basil Pesto
Fresh Basil Pesto blends tightly packed basil leaves with pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and olive oil to create a vibrant sauce. The process finely chops and combines the ingredients until smooth, making a fragrant and creamy herb spread. It holds well refrigerated and offers a classic fresh pesto flavor for pasta or other dishes.
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings:
8
servings (2 TBSP)
Calories:
175 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 2 cups basil leaves tightly packed, fresh
- 1/4 /4 cup pine nuts optional: toasted
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 /2 teaspoon salt or to taste, fine sea salt
- 1/2 /2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly shredded
- 1/2 /2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor with a chopping blade (or blender), add the basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, salt, and parmesan cheese. Pulse until finely chopped together. If you want to use toasted pine nuts, place them in a small skillet over low-medium heat for 3-4 minutes until warm, fragrant and toasted.
- While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Taste test for salt levels and adjust as desired.
- Pesto is ready to use immediately, otherwise store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You may want to cover with a thin layer of olive oil or plastic wrap to prevent oxidation.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- This recipe yields approximately 1 cup of pesto suitable for immediate use or refrigeration.
- To enhance flavor, toast the pine nuts lightly in a skillet before adding.
- Store pesto in an airtight container with a thin layer of olive oil or plastic wrap to reduce browning.
- Use within five days for best freshness and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Serving
2TBSP
Calories
175kcal
(9%)
Carbohydrates
1g
(0%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
18g
(28%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Cholesterol
4mg
(1%)
Sodium
246mg
(10%)
Potassium
53mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
367IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
88mg
(9%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings (2 TBSP)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 175
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2TBSP | |
| Calories | 175kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Cholesterol | 4mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 246mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 53mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 367IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 88mg | 9% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.