This Easy Basil Pesto is a simple & delicious recipe you can use in a variety of dishes, from topping meats and poultry to stirring into soups and as topping on pizza!
Sometimes you’re making a meal and think to yourself , “This is a little….bland,” or “This could really use a flavor boost”. So you pull out the seasonings and try to adjust them until it satisfies your tastebuds. Either that, or you never quite get to that taste you want OR you put in too much seasoning and completely overpower it.
If this ever sounds like you, then I have a simple solution: this easy basil pesto.
It’s the perfect flavor booster to any meal. I use it on top of meat, poultry and fish, stirred in pasta dishes, soups or power bowls, mixed into salads, spread on toast or pizza and as part of appetizers. Really, the possibilities are endless. Any way you choose to enjoy it, it’s sure to amp up the flavor of your meal! And remember, a little goes a long way. You don’t need a lot of pesto to flavor your meals!
Nutrition-wise, pesto is higher in calories due to the olive oil and nuts (hello healthy fats!), but is low in carbohydrates and moderate in protein. Some notable nutrients in pesto include vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. Traditionally, pesto is made with pine nuts but right now pine nuts are so dang expensive that I chose to use walnuts – which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Overall, used in moderation pesto is an excellent addition to recipes and your diet and can help aid in satiety due to the high (healthy) fat content.
Add a punch of flavor to your meals with this Easy Basil Pesto Click To TweetLet me know down in the comments – what is your favorite way to use pesto?
PrintEasy Basil Pesto
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: ~8 oz
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Easy Basil Pesto is a simple & delicious recipe you can use in a variety of dishes, from topping meats and poultry to stirring into soups and as topping on pizza!
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup nuts (pine nuts or walnuts)
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a food processor or high power blender. Process on high for 30-60 seconds or until it reaches a smooth consistency.
- Serve as desired on top of meat, poultry, fish, pasta, whole grains, salads, pizza, crusty bread, etc. The options are endless! Keep stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days or in the freezer for 3-4 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 oz
- Calories: 197
- Sugar: 1.4 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 5.6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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Kate | The Organized Dream
This looks delicious and so easy to make!
Brittany
Thanks! It’s easier to make homemade pesto than most people think!
Francesca
I love Pesto with a passion, but shame on me, I’ve never tried to make my own! Definately going to be giving this a go!
Francesca | Gluten Free Horizons
Brittany
You should give it a try for sure – it’s so easy!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife
Yummy! I have so many things that I want to pair this with! So many possibilities!
Brittany
Yes! I love pesto for it’s versatility!
Jennifer Maune
Yum! Love having pesto on hand. Love how easy this recipe is!
-Jennifer
Brittany
Me too! Having some on hand makes it easy to add extra flavor to other recipes!
Joan Cajic
Love pesto and homemade is even better. I need to have some pasta this week this looks really delicious.
Brittany
Pesto + pasta = the best combo!!
Michelle
I LOVE pesto but I’ve never made it myself. Definitely want to try this recipe!
Brittany
You’ll have to let me know how it turns out for you if you make it!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
It’s amazing how easy it is to make such a fab sauce like this! It’s great on so many dishes for added flavor! Yum!
Brittany
Thanks, Patricia!
Meghan
Wow this looks so delicious! I can’t believe it’s that easy too!
Brittany
Thanks! It’s amazing how easy cooking from scratch really can be sometimes!
Jenna
I love pesto and use walnuts too due to the expense. Thanks for making me feel like I am making a healthy choice when I put it on my Caprese salads.
Brittany
Oooh Yum! Pesto + caprese salads sounds like a great combo!
Eric Berg
Besides adding a great flavor to the meals, basil provides essential nutrients that are few other plants contain.
1. It’s loaded with vitamin K (which prevents blood clotting)
2. It has manganese: a trace mineral that strengthens joints
3. It contains betacarotene (or pre-vitamin A)
4. It provides flavonoids: which protects cells from radiation and stress
5. It reduces the pathogenic growth of bacteria