4.9 from 95 votes
Pesto Sauce Recipe
This pesto sauce blends fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice into a smooth, aromatic sauce with extra virgin olive oil. The texture is slightly coarse yet creamy, perfect for coating pasta, spreading on bread, or adding to salads. The balanced combination of fresh herbs, nuts, cheese, and citrus offers a bright, nutty flavor profile that can be customized by adjusting salt levels or lemon juice.
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
255 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 1 cup basil packed leaves
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice fresh
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender. Pulse until smooth. Serve immediately or cover and store chilled.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Start with 1/4 teaspoon salt and adjust to taste to control saltiness.
- Additional lemon juice can be added to increase the lemon flavor for a fresher taste.
- This recipe yields about 1 cup of pesto, suitable for multiple uses.
Nutrition Information
Calories
255kcal
(13%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
26g
(40%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Cholesterol
7mg
(2%)
Sodium
419mg
(17%)
Potassium
71mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
75IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
98mg
(10%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 255
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 255kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 7mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 419mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 71mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 75IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 98mg | 10% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.