0 from 15 votes
Pesto Recipe | Basil Pesto Sauce
A simple, easy Pesto Recipe made with fresh basil leaves, almonds and garlic in extra virgin olive oil. Made with just 5 simple ingredients in less than 10 minutes, this Pesto Sauce without cheese is the fastest, easiest way to add flavor to any meal.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
8 mins
Servings: 1 small-sized bowl
Calories: 864 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Condiments
Cuisine:
Mediterranean , International
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves - 50 grams
- ¼ cup almonds - lightly roasted/toasted
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves - small to medium sized
- 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
- Ensure that the basil leaves are fresh and not wilted. If your basil has tender stems, then use them. If the stems are thick, stiff or woody then do not include them as they will be difficult to process in a food processor.
- If you like, opt to add some hard cheese to the pesto.
- Instead of almonds, feel free to use cashews, pistachios (unsalted), pine nuts or walnuts.
- You could easily make a larger batch of pesto by scaling it.
- Note that the approximate nutrition info is for the entire amount of pesto made with this recipe.
Nutrition Information
Calories
864kcal
(43%)
Carbohydrates
11g
(4%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
90g
(138%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
12g
Monounsaturated Fat
64g
Trans Fat
0.01g
Sodium
296mg
(12%)
Potassium
434mg
(12%)
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
Phosphorus
209mg
Zinc
2mg
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1small-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.