This basil pesto is made with simple ingredients of fresh basil, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. This pesto recipe is perfect for bread dipping and delicious tossed with pasta.
Wonderful Basil Pesto
Pesto is one of my favorite sauces as it has such an intense flavor of garlic and parmesan, but is also very fresh from the basil.
I love making homemade basil pesto because I can use up all of my fresh basil from the garden. Dinner can be ready in no time by tossing al dente noodles in pesto or even using it as a delicious dip for an appetizer.
What is pesto?
Pesto is a green sauce that originated in Italy. It’s typically made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil.
What is pesto made from? Classic pesto is made from fresh basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
There are many variations of pesto including kale pesto, walnuts pesto, pesto using other herbs, vegan pesto, etc.
How do you serve pesto? Pesto is often served as a sauce on pasta. It can also be used as a dip or a marinade (check out our Pesto Chicken Skewers!).
Ingredients for Pesto
Fresh Basil Leaves: have basil in the garden? Basil pesto is the perfect recipe to make sure none of it goes to waste! Make sure to use fresh basil for this recipe.
Olive Oil: we love the flavor of extra virgin olive oil and this is the main fat in this sauce. Not only does it make it super buttery, but it also helps thin it out and turn it into a sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: parmesan cheese adds such a yummy, salty, savory flavor to this pesto sauce.
Pine Nuts: pine nuts are traditionally used in pesto sauce. We use ours raw, but you can toast them for a bigger flavor.
Garlic Cloves: garlic lovers unite! you’ll need 1 clove of garlic in this recipe. However, you can totally double it if that’s your jam.
Lemon Juice: lemon juice adds just the right amount of acidity to this sauce. Don’t skip it.
Salt: a little kosher salt brings all of these ingredients together into one incredible sauce. Make sure to start with a little and go from there.
Ingredient Swaps
- Basil: don’t have basil? Try using spinach or kale instead.
- Pine Nuts: pine nuts too expensive? I get it! Try using cashews, pecans, or almonds instead.
- Parmesan Cheese: hoping to keep this recipe dairy-free? Nutritional yeast is a great sub for parmesan cheese.
- Olive Oil: instead of olive oil use grape-seed oil.
Make it Vegan!
Vegan Pesto
Looking for a vegan pesto recipe? Try our homemade vegan pesto recipe. It has the same texture and similar flavors.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
How to Make Pesto
This homemade pesto recipe comes together in just 5 minutes! Combine all of the ingredients for basil pesto in a small food processor and process until smooth.
- Place all of the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor.
- Pulse on high for about 60 seconds so that the basil gets pureed.
- Add more olive oil as needed to thin things out.
- Serve immediately.
Quick tip!
make sure not to overprocess your pesto as you can risk it getting a bit slimey. Plus, a little texture is so great for this recipe.
Pesto Q&A
Do I need to toast my pine nuts? It is not necessary to toast your pine nuts, but you are more than welcome to do so in order to get a more intense flavor.
Can I use dried basil? Unfortunately, we do not recommend using dried basil for homemade pesto.
Can I use a blender instead? you can absolutely use a blender instead of a food processor.
Is pesto healthy? Pesto is made with fresh ingredients and olive oil, making it a healthy sauce option.
How to Serve Pesto Sauce
There is no one-size-fits-all with our pesto sauce recipe. One of my favorite things about it is that it’s so versatile in how you can use it!
Marinade: Pesto makes for a great marinade. Try our Pesto Chicken Skewers.
Salad Dressing: Pesto is a great base for salad dressing! Add more olive oil to make it a milder dressing or just drizzle it right onto your salad as is!
Sauce: Need a sauce to top your veggies or protein. This homemade pesto is your ticket! Try our Pesto Chicken Meal Prep or Mediterranean Salmon.
Dip: Keep it simple and use your pesto as a dip for bread, veggies, or crackers!
Pasta: Toss al dente pasta with pesto and serve as is. You can also check out our Chicken Pesto Pasta recipe for a heartier meal.
Spread: Use it as a spread on sandwiches or pita bread. Check out our Roasted Red Pepper and Pesto Turkey Sandwich.
Pesto Storage
Transfer your pesto into an airtight container and store pesto in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
How to Freeze Pesto
Freezing pesto is so easy and a great way to use up all your fresh basil! Here’s how to do it.
- Transfer pesto into an ice cube tray. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of pesto into each ice cub so that it’s filled 3/4 of the way full.
- Place in the freezer for at least 2 hours or until fully frozen.
- Pop the pesto ice cubes out of the tray and then transfer the frozen cubes into an airtight container or gallon-size bag.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
To thaw: simply let the frozen pesto sit out on the counter for 1 hour or transfer them into a nonstick skillet and defrost on the stovetop over medium heat.
Easy Basil Pesto
This homemade pesto recipe comes together in just 5 minutes! Combine all of the ingredients for basil pesto in a small food processor and process until smooth.
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed basil leaves, fresh (~20–22 fresh basil leaves)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 medium clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a high-speed food processor.
- Proces on high for about 60 seconds. Make sure not to overprocess as some grittiness is great for the texture of pesto.
- If your pesto is too thick, add more olive oil by the teaspoon.
Tips & Notes
- Makes about 1/3 cup pesto
- This recipe was updated on June 17th, 2021.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: ~2 tablespoons Calories: 145 Sugar: 0 Fat: 15 Carbohydrates: 2 Fiber: 0 Protein: 3Keywords: pesto, pesto recipe
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Have no idea who Viola is, but this recipe is really cool. Thanx
★★★★★
I’m going to make this today! Trying to stock up my pantry with homemade everything instead of store bought… any idea how long this pesto lasts refrigerated?
Thanks to your 2 ingredient recipe recommendations I’ve found this recipe here! I was in need of a pesto recipe because we have tons of arugula and it’s going to waste soon. So I’m making arugula pesto! 🙂 and then maybe the 2 ingredient pesto skewers 😉
GEEEEENIUS. I bet that’ll taste delish. Great way to eat yo greens!
Got distracted by the funny comments! haha anyways… I played lots of sports in high school! I was on the swim team 6-11 grade then did cross country my senior year. I also played rugby in the spring!
The sports I played in high school are also the reason why I love fitness so much now!
LOVE PESTO. Except I’ve only had it from a jar.. never homemade. Which is impossible since you know I don’t have a food processor 😉 I play basketball and run cross country and track. I did cheerleading and volleyball in middle school too!
btw – is the cook time supposed to say 28 min?! or am I totally missing something haha!
Absolutely no idea why it said 28 minutes. You don’t even cook anything!
I really need to make my own pesto more often…and this is a great way to do it. So easy and takes no time. I love pesto on sandwiches and on pasta 🙂
I LOVE homemade pesto. I use a blender to make mine and it works well… but I should invest in a food processor some day! I make homemade pesto with Almonds and Kate…. its amazinggggggg.
Sara 🙂
In a blender, huh?! Never woulda thunk! Do you have a Vitamix?
naw… Just a cheapy from target actually! Mine comes out way more thick though, but I think I haven’t nailed down the Kale ratio very well yet. I also blend the almonds first. Its is a bit of a struggle, you have to stop and mix it a few times, but I do eventually get pesto! Anyway yours probably comes out better using the food processor…. 🙂
Here is the recipe from Runners World that I use!
http://www.runnersworld.com/recipes/quick-bites-kale-almond-pesto
o0o that looks nummy. GET A FOOD PROCESSORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. That is all.
I love pesto SO much! Thanks for the recipe, I think I will make some this weekend!
WOO HOO! Let me know how it goes 😀
I’ve never made pesto before, but I go gaga over the stuff we make at the cafe. This really makes me want to try it out at home!! So simple!
Can you believe that I have never made pesto? I know…so wrong. I bet this would taste awesome on some spaghetti squash! 🙂
YUM!!!! Can you believe I’ve never made spaghetti squash?! We should have a spaghetti squash and pesto party. Win win for both of us!
That is almost as bad as me never making pesto! We definitely need to have a spaghetti squash + pesto party! 😉
Yay for pesto! I was a cheerleader for one semester in high school…definitely not for me since I am very uncoordinated when it comes to dance and cheer routines. I can barely follow along in a kickboxing class! But yes, homemade pesto is the bomb! Although last time I made it, my boyfriend didn’t like it because it was “too pesto-y.” Womp womp. Guess he was so used to the storebought kind…argh. I will definitely be making it again though, thanks for the easy recipe!
HHAHA I feel the same way when I take step classes. I. just. can’t. keep. up!
I absolutely love pesto! It reminds me so much of my grandma and her amazing cooking!
😀 Don’t you love that! I cooked with my grandma this weekend. Butter butter Buttt-ter!
I love me some pesto! I have to eat my jar so I can make this… shouldn’t be a problem 😉
So easy and always fresh. Now i dont need to buy it from shop – just vegetables and recipe. Thanks!
I love pesto on pasta and sandwiches!
In high school I was on the track team and surf team!
You know I asked Davs for Food processor recommendations and she ignored me? Must be the frizzy hair.
I love pesto and often made it back in Melbourne before I gifted my mum the (now defunct) blender.
As a high schooler, I was played pokemon with my gameboy. That counts as a sport.
I knew you were the weirdo drawing dragons on the corner. JKJKJK. Don’t make fun of frizzy hair. Us curly q’s can’t help it! Well when I visit you in Stralia…I will smuggle a food processor in my suitcase. Prolly cheaper over here in the US of A, anyways.
When did I ignore youuuuu?!? Excuse me you told me you thought my curly hair was pure sex. Don’t lie.
I use a cuisinart btw!
And you don’t want to know what sport I played growing up….
Break it up. FFF is not a war zone of blogger fights.
JkJKJK.
You guys are such great entertainment 🙂
I love how pesto is so easy to make! I purchased a mini food processor last year and love it!
I was on the swim team in high school!