★★★★★

Basil Pesto Recipe

This quick and easy Basil Pesto is so delicious, you’ll need to make a second batch! Perfect for adding to pasta, fish, baked tomatoes and sandwiches, it’s kicks up the flavor of your favorite foods!

Pesto in a white bowl with a spoon on a yellow checkered napkin.

Why this Recipe works

Any gardeners out there?

My garden is going insane this year!! I hope you guys are ready for an influx of zucchini recipes! I’ve already got some made and photographed, and they’ll be up on the blog here soon!

Favorites: Zucchini Bread | Zucchini Bars

But today, let’s talk about basil.

And while we use a lot of it to make our favorite bruschetta recipe…I’m also going to share our go-to BASIL PESTO recipe today!

Some of you may be thinking, hmmmm, I love pesto, but what can I use it on?

Keep on reading friends!

Step by Step Instructions

Pesto ingredients in a food processor before blending.

I love that making simple pesto is so easy with just a few ingredients, and it only takes minutes.

In a food processor, combine the fresh basil with pine nuts, garlic, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.

Blend until fine.

Slowly drizzle in the olive oil and process until desired consistency, adding more or less oil as needed.

Serving Suggestions

Homemade pesto being spread onto a pizza crust with a spoon.
  1. Pesto Pasta: Mix the pesto into some warm pasta noodles. Side dish completed, it’s that easy. Add some chicken to make it a meal.
  2. Pesto Salmon: Top your salmon with pesto and almonds. OMG yum!
  3. Pesto Shrimp: on the grill and delicious!
  4. Pesto Grilled Pizza: make a grilled pizza with pesto, tomatoes and cheese!
  5. Pesto Pork Tenderloin– easy topping for your pork!

If you have too much, put it in ice cube trays in the freezer.

Then when making spaghetti sauce, toss a few cubes into your sauce for extra flavor! ENJOY!

This quick and easy Basil Pesto is so delicious, you'll need to make a second batch! Perfect for adding to pasta, fish, baked tomatoes and sandwiches, it's kicks up the flavor of your favorite foods!

More Recipes You’ll Love

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section below!

Yield: about ½ cup

Basil Pesto

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

This quick and easy Basil Pesto is so delicious, you'll need to make a second batch! Perfect for adding to pasta, fish, baked tomatoes and sandwiches, it's kicks up the flavor of your favorite foods!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh basil
  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, combine basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese. Blend until fine.
  2. Slowly add in the olive oil and blend until desired consistency, adding more or less oil as needed. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days. ENJOY.

Notes

  • Store for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 201Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 164mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 3g

*Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.

Did you make this recipe?

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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

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Posted on April 8, 2023

Comments & Reviews

  1. Thanks for simple and great recipe for pesto.
    It was the first time I made pesto and your video made it super easy.

  2. Pesto is the best! Your recipe looks just wonderful. I am experiencing a bit of basil jealousy here since my basil plants are getting holes eaten through them this year! I still think I have enough to make a batch of this good stuff though 🙂 

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