How to make Creamy Pesto Sauce

Name: How to make Creamy Pesto Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2 cups
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups fresh basil; ⅓ cup fresh parsley; 1 cup grated parmesan; ½ cup toasted nuts; 1-2 cloves garlic; ½ - ¾ teaspoon sea salt; Juice from 1 lemon; ½ cup olive oil; ¼ cup water

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Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings
2 cups
Calories
224 kcal

How to make Creamy Pesto Sauce

Iris Warren

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This is the creamy pesto sauce that we make whenever we're craving pesto. It's easy to make (everything goes into your blender), unbelievably creamy, and delicious on everything from pasta, roasted veggies, sandwiches, eggs, and more.

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Ingredients

Servings

1 ½ cups fresh basil packed
⅓ cup fresh parsley packed
1 cup grated parmesan
½ cup toasted nuts see notes
1-2 cloves garlic start with 1 clove
½ - ¾ teaspoon sea salt start with ½ teaspoon
Juice from 1 lemon
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup water

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Instructions

Add all of the ingredients to your blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy.
Taste and add more salt or garlic, if wanted. For a thinner pesto sauce, add a little extra water.

Notes

Over the years of making this recipe, we've found that each time we make minor adjustments to it after we blend it. Sometimes one clove of garlic is enough, other times the garlic we get is less flavorful and we add an extra clove. The flavor of lemons and basil can also vary in intensity. If you taste the pesto and know that you want it a little more lemony or garlicky, just add a little more.
If you have a high-powered blender, you can put a chunk of parmesan (so you don't have to grate it) and whole garlic cloves into your blender.
We like to toast the nuts we use as it adds an extra layer of flavor to the pesto. Pine nuts and cashews blend the easiest. A mix of almonds and pecans is a nice blend. Walnuts tend to be a bit bitter so only use them in small quantities.
Toast nuts in a skillet over medium heat, mixing them frequently, until they turn golden. Or toast them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-8 minutes.
Toast nuts in a skillet over medium heat, mixing them frequently, until they turn golden. Or toast them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-8 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1 serving = ¼ cup Calories 224kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 5g (2%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 21g (32%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 13g Cholesterol 11mg (4%) Sodium 340mg (14%) Potassium 116mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 559IU (11%) Vitamin C 11mg (12%) Calcium 158mg (16%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2cups

Amount Per Serving

Calories 224 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1 serving = ¼ cup
Calories	224kcal	11%
Carbohydrates	5g	2%
Protein	7g	14%
Fat	21g	32%
Saturated Fat	5g	25%
Polyunsaturated Fat	2g	12%
Monounsaturated Fat	13g	65%
Cholesterol	11mg	4%
Sodium	340mg	14%
Potassium	116mg	2%
Fiber	1g	4%
Sugar	1g	2%
Vitamin A	559IU	11%
Vitamin C	11mg	12%
Calcium	158mg	16%
Iron	1mg	6%