5 from 10 votes
Pesto Recipe | Basil Pesto Sauce
This basil pesto recipe uses fresh basil leaves and toasted almonds blended with garlic, olive oil, and seasonings to create a fragrant and creamy sauce. The pesto has a slightly coarse or smooth texture depending on how much you blend it and offers a fresh herbaceous flavor with subtle nuttiness. It’s a versatile condiment that complements pasta, bread, or vegetables.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Total Time
8 mins
Servings:
1
small-sized bowl
Calories:
864 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Condiments
Cuisine:
Mediterranean, International
Ingredients
- 2 cups basil 50 grams, fresh leaves
- ¼ cup almonds - lightly roasted/toasted
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic small to medium sized, cloves
- 4 to 5 black peppercorns - optional
- ⅛ teaspoon salt or add as per taste
Instructions
- First roast/toast the almonds in a small frying pan or a small skillet on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let the almonds cool.
- Add the almonds in a food processor or food chopper or a grinder jar. Coarsely crush the almonds.
- Then add the basil leaves, garlic, black pepper and salt.
- Crush the basil leaves and add the oil while crushing and blending the whole mixture. You could make the pesto a little coarse or fine. Its your choice.
- Remove and store pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use fresh, unwilted basil leaves; tender stems can be included, but woody stems should be discarded to avoid bitterness and difficulty blending.
- You may add hard cheese like Parmesan for a richer flavor if desired.
- Almonds can be swapped with cashews, pistachios (unsalted), pine nuts, or walnuts to vary the flavor and texture.
- Scale the recipe up easily to make larger batches while maintaining ingredient ratios.
Nutrition Information
Calories
864kcal
(43%)
Carbohydrates
11g
(4%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
90g
(138%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
12g
(71%)
Monounsaturated Fat
64g
(320%)
Trans Fat
0.01g
(1%)
Sodium
296mg
(12%)
Potassium
434mg
(9%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
2535IU
(51%)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
0.1mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
0.5mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
2mg
Vitamin B6
0.2mg
Vitamin C
11mg
(12%)
Vitamin E
20mg
Vitamin K
243µg
Calcium
195mg
(20%)
Vitamin B9 (Folate)
49µg
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Magnesium
129mg
(32%)
Phosphorus
209mg
Zinc
2mg
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1 small-sized bowl
Amount Per Serving
Calories 864
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 864kcal | 43% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 90g | 138% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 12g | 71% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 64g | 320% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Sodium | 296mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 434mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 2535IU | 51% |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.1mg | |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.5mg | |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 2mg | |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.2mg | |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Vitamin E | 20mg | |
| Vitamin K | 243µg | |
| Calcium | 195mg | 20% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 49µg | |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
| Magnesium | 129mg | 32% |
| Phosphorus | 209mg | |
| Zinc | 2mg |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.