Just Your Basic Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe
This homemade basil pesto recipe is a simple, fresh, and versatile sauce made from toasted pine nuts, fresh basil leaves, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and high-quality olive oil. Perfect as a pasta sauce, spread, or dip, it brings vibrant flavor with the optional touch of lemon juice for added brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pesto Ingredients
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts (or walnuts as a substitute)
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup high-quality extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (optional but recommended)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Toast the Pine Nuts: Optional but recommended, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until they are golden and fragrant. This step enhances their nutty flavor. Let them cool before using.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the basil leaves, grated Parmesan, toasted nuts, and sliced garlic cloves into a food processor. Pulse for 10-15 seconds until the mixture is finely chopped.
- Add Olive Oil: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil. Continue processing until the mixture becomes smooth and emulsified. Scrape down the sides of the processor bowl as necessary to ensure even blending.
- Season the Pesto: Taste the pesto and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference. Add the fresh lemon juice for a bright, fresh flavor if desired, and pulse briefly to combine.
- Store or Use: Use the pesto immediately as a sauce or spread. To store, transfer it to an airtight container and pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top to prevent browning. Refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for 3-4 months for longer storage.
Notes
- Toasting nuts enhances their flavor but is optional if short on time.
- Walnuts can be used as a substitute for pine nuts to reduce cost or due to preference.
- Use the pesto within one week when refrigerated to enjoy fresh flavor.
- Freezing pesto in ice cube trays allows for convenient portioning.
- The optional lemon juice brightens the flavor profile but can be omitted if preferred.
Keywords: basil pesto, homemade pesto, Italian sauce, easy pesto recipe, fresh basil sauce, pine nut pesto, Parmesan pesto
