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This classic basil pesto sauce can elevate any pasta, sandwich, or soup! And it’s so easy to make, you may never purchase store-bought again.
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Classic Basil Pesto

This classic basil pesto sauce can elevate any pasta, sandwich, or soup! And it’s so easy to make, you may never purchase store-bought again.
Prep Time10 mins
Total Time10 mins
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: basil pesto, pesto recipe, pesto sauce
Servings: 8 (2 tablespoons each)
Calories: 188kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 2 cloves garlic , chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • Place all of the ingredients (except the olive oil) in the bowl of a food processor. Process until pureed.
  • With the machine running, gradually pour in the olive oil in a steady stream, to emulsify.
  • That’s it! Taste and adjust the seasoning, if desired.

Notes

  1. You don't have to toast the pine nuts, but toasting them does add a depth of flavor.
  2. Refrigerate any leftover pesto up to 5 days or 1 month in the freezer.
  3. For uses, variations, and substitutions, please refer to the full article.

Nutrition

Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 242mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 687IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg