Easy Homemade Pesto
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No need for store-bought pesto anymore. This recipe is so easy with just 5 ingredients. And it takes just 5 min to make too!
I somehow always have extra basil on hand so I’ve found myself making pesto on a weekly basis. It’s one of the easiest things to make – with the help of a food processor – and it requires so little ingredients! Plus, having a jar of pesto in your fridge is always a life saver for those busy weeknights. All you have to do is cook up some pasta, slather on that pesto and sprinkle on some Parmesan. Done and done.
Now if you’re used to store-bought pesto, believe me when I tell you that this homemade version will change your life. It’s just so much more vibrant and fresh, and you can control exactly how runny or thick you want your pesto to be. Just be sure to add more olive oil until your desired consistency is reached.
I should also tell you that this is best made when using a food processor, not a blender. I have tried using a blender and the consistency just isn’t the same. And I know that pine nuts (also called pignolias) can be a bit pricey but one small 8-ounce bag of pine nuts will last you a lifetime. And it gives you an excuse to make more pesto for next time!
Easy Homemade Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 tablespoons pine nuts
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ⅓ cup olive oil
Equipment
Instructions
- To make the pesto, combine basil, garlic, pine nuts and Parmesan in the bowl of a food processor; season with salt and pepper, to taste. With the motor running, add olive oil in a slow stream until emulsified; set aside.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
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Funny, I NEVER have extra basil on hand. It’s one of those things I don’t buy that much of because I find myself without a way to use it and the family complains if I put too much basil in things because they says it tastes like leaves. LOL Seriously I need to make pesto more often because I love the stuff! Your pics are gorgeous – the lighting is just superb!
Pesto freezes very well too. I grow 2 sweet basil plants in my herb garden and make batches of pesto to enjoy all year long and still have plenty to share with friends. I use walnuts in place of pine nuts.
I do that too… walnuts instead of pine nuts – then I can make it all the time without breaking my food budget.
GOOD IDEA THE WALNUTS STEPHANIE
I always soak my walnuts in water for four hours or more, then rinse before using. This leeches the tannins and bitterness out of the walnuts.
Does anyone have any recipes that require pesto? I don’t know what to do with it after I make it.
There are tons of pesto recipes! Here are my two favorites: https://damndelicious.net/2012/07/21/pesto-pasta-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-roasted/ and https://damndelicious.net/2012/10/22/chicken-pesto-sandwich/.
Thanks!!
What do you use if you have a nut allergy
Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications. Sorry, Virginia!
Just try it without the nuts. You never know if you don’t try!
Maybe sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds?
Pine nuts are NOT a nut. They are the seed of the pine tree. You shouldn’t have any reaction since it’s not a nut.
Try cooked or roasted garbanzo beans.
I always soak walnuts in water for four hours before rinsing and using them. It leeches the tannins and the bitterness out of the walnuts .
I love using pesto in pasta, pizza, on charbroiled sandwiches!!!
Omit the parmesan or any other cheese you use and you can freeze it. If you want to use cheese after that use it right before mixing for new recipe.
Ali Maffucci on Inspiralized, has a great recipe made with zucchini noodles.
I LOVE pesto, and your homemade version looks awesome! I am dairy-free, so it’s nice that there is a great sub for the Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
Thank you. I will try it soon.
Homemade pesto is the best! This recipe is lovely!
I have never done this before, left a comment on site, but I wanted to take just a minute to tell you how very much I love your recipes, website and I so look forward to your emails!! Please keep up the great work and know that you are doing a wonderful job!! Love all your recipes and use them often!!!
MMm I love the sound of this, it looks so nice and smooth and I bet it’s packed full of flavour! I have yet to make my own pesto *sigh* BUT as soon as my flatmate shows me how the food processor we’ve got in the flat works, I’ll be sure to give it a try 🙂 Hope you’re having a ovely weekend 🙂 x
Love homemade pesto! I also like to make mine with different nuts, like almonds, sunflowers.