This classic, homemade basil pesto recipe is made with only 5 ingredients. This is a perfect recipe to replace your store-bought pesto.
I have to say nothing beats the power-packed flavor of fresh pesto! You guys will agree with me on this one. Who doesn’t love the smell of this herb and all the flavor it brings to dishes? And who doesn’t enjoy a delicious pesto basil bruschetta with diced tomatoes on top? Or a tasty chicken pesto basil lasagna? Mmm.. Yummy!! We all have lots of reasons to love pesto. So, today I’m sharing with you this homemade basil pesto recipe that you will be able to use in so many dishes and also it will be a lifesaver for those busy weeknights. There are many super easy and fast recipes to make with pesto. For example, I love to cook whole wheat pasta and simply add some basil pesto. Done! Dinner is ready in less than 20 mins.
This homemade basil pesto recipe is very easy to make and you only need 5 ingredients. It is definitely a good alternative for a store-bought product. This tastes beyond better than any processed pesto you can buy. Why? Because it is so fresh and full of fragrance. Another thing I really like about this recipe is that you can control exactly how runny or thick you want your pesto to be. What you need to do is just to add olive oil until you get the desired consistency.
So, I hope you give this homemade basil pesto recipe a try and let me know how was it. Now that you know how to make pesto, some of my favourite recipes that I like to use it in are my Pesto Shrimp Tomato Salad, Sweet Potato Pesto Chicken Skillet, Pesto Chicken Salad, Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp, and Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Shrimp Asparagus Skillet! These are such easy and delicious pesto recipes that you’re not going to want to miss out on!
Enjoy!
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How to Make Homemade Basil Pesto
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- salt and fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine basil, pine nuts, garlic, and parmesan cheese in food processor.
- Pulse the ingredients until combined.
- Slowly pour in olive oil while running food processor.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Tips
- Make sure the pinenuts are fresh as they will taste bitter if not.
- Add more olive oil if you'd like for the pesto to be more runny. Use less oil if you'd like a thicker pesto.
- Make sure to use a good quality oil as you will be able to taste the oil.
- To store: Store leftover pesto in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- To freeze: Freeze homemade pesto in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
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Denise @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
I’ve made so many different types of fresh pesto, but I’m just realizing that I’ve never made fresh basil pesto! I definitely need to try it!
Suzan Vasica says
How long does fresh made basil pesto last in the fridge for? I don’t wanna make a jars worth and then have to bin it coz I couldn’t use it fast enough. I love basil pesto but not sure I’d use it fast enough
Olivia says
Hi, Suzan. Thanks for your question. It can last for about one week in the fridge.
Julie Logan says
HI! I have tons of basil, so I want to make a lot of pesto. Can I put it in ziplock bags and freeze it until needed?
Olivia says
Yes, you can 😉
Suzan Vasica says
Hmmm not sure how I’d use up that much pesto in one week. Thanks. Still will try it and just how it in all my dishes lol
Sonia Weiner says
I was excited to read your recipe for home made pesto, and printed it, only to find that I needed a food processor, in order to make it. I don’t have one, but I do have a blender. will that work?
Kathy says
Do you need to toast the pine nuts?
Olivia says
No you don’t need to toast it, but if you prefer you can 😉
Sarah says
Approx. how much does this make after all blended together? Thanks!
Erika Hatcher says
I just made this recipe, but tastes a tad bitter. What can I do correct this?
Olivia says
You can reduce the amount of basil in the recipe and add more olive oil.