Best 9 Basic Basil Pesto Recipes

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Basil pesto is a vibrant and flavorful sauce that is bursting with the vibrant flavors of fresh basil, earthy pine nuts, and salty Parmesan cheese. Originating from the Liguria region of Italy, this classic sauce has become a culinary staple around the world, adding a pop of color and flavor to a variety of dishes. Whether you're tossing it with pasta, spreading it on sandwiches, or simply using it as a dip, basil pesto is versatile and easy to make, using only a handful of fresh ingredients. So, gather your basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and garlic, and let's embark on a culinary journey to create the perfect basic basil pesto!

Let's cook with our recipes!

BASIL PESTO



Basil Pesto image

Keep this basic Basil Pesto recipe from Food Network Kitchen in your arsenal and use it for topping pasta, fish, chicken, pizza and more.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 5m

Yield 1 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese

Steps:

  • Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  • If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.
  • If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese.

BASIC BASIL PESTO



Basic Basil Pesto image

Rich & chunky pesto with a robust nutty flavor. Great with toasted bread, pizza, or your favorite pasta! Store in refrigerator or freezer.

Provided by Tipsy Inspirations

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Vegetarian

Time 15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 cups fresh basil leaves, stems removed
1 tablespoon minced garlic
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Place pine nuts in a single layer in a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer immediately to a plate to stop the cooking process; allow to cool, about 5 minutes.
  • Combine pine nuts, basil, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until blended. Pour olive oil in slowly, with the processor running on low speed, until mixture is smooth. Add Parmesan cheese and process just until combined.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 218.3 calories, Carbohydrate 1.5 g, Cholesterol 5.9 mg, Fat 22.1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 3.8 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 102.8 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

BASIL PESTO



Basil Pesto image

Basil pesto is extremely versatile! It enhances the flavor for all dishes like steak, chicken, fish, vegetables, and pasta! After the ingredients are combined and formed into a tube shape, simply slice whatever size portion you need and freeze the rest! Easy-breezy to prepare and bursting with flavor!

Provided by Bwoogie1

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 cup olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
⅔ cup pine nuts
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Combine basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and olive oil in a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add garlic, pine nuts, salt, and pepper. Pulse until mixture becomes smooth and blended.
  • Pour mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap; roll into a tube shape and seal. Store in the refrigerator until needed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 177.1 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Cholesterol 4.4 mg, Fat 17.9 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 3.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 87.2 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

BASIC BASIL PESTO



Basic Basil Pesto image

A special thanks to whoever invented the food processor, which lets us whip up this tasty pesto in 5 minutes flat.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Quick & Easy Recipes

Time 5m

Yield Makes 3/4 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 garlic clove, peeled
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
3 cups packed fresh basil leaves (2 1/4 ounces)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • On a cutting board, sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt over garlic and roughly chop. Using a flat side of the knife blade, crush mixture into a thick paste. Add to a food processor with pine nuts, basil, and 1 tablespoon oil. Pulse until ingredients are finely chopped. With machine running, add remaining oil in a slow, steady stream. Add Parmesan and pulse to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 113 g, Fat 12 g, Protein 1 g

FRESH BASIL PESTO



Fresh Basil Pesto image

Homemade pesto is one of the best ways to enjoy a bounty of fresh basil. It's great on pasta, baked potatoes, pizza, or bread. Make it in just 15 minutes!

Provided by Elise Bauer

Categories     Condiment     Freezer-friendly     Sauce     Basil     Pasta     Pesto     Pine Nut

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed (can sub half the basil leaves with baby spinach)
1/2 cup freshly grated Romano or Parmesan-Reggiano cheese (about 2 ounces)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts (can sub chopped walnuts)
3 garlic cloves, minced (about 3 teaspoons)
1/4 teaspoon salt, more to taste
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more to taste

Steps:

  • Season the pesto sauce: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss with pasta for a quick sauce, dollop over baked potatoes, or spread onto crackers or toasted slices of bread.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 372 kcal, Carbohydrate 4 g, Cholesterol 11 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 359 mg, Sugar 0 g, Fat 38 g, ServingSize Makes 1 cup, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

BASIL PESTO



Basil Pesto image

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 10m

Yield 1 cup.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 to 2 garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons pine nuts
3 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup Crisco® Pure Olive Oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a blender or food processor, combine garlic, salt and pine nuts; cover and process until finely chopped. Add basil and olive oil; puree until smooth. Add cheese and process just until combined. Serve with pasta or grilled meats of vegetables.

Nutrition Facts :

BASIL PESTO



Basil Pesto image

Simple, Healthy and Delicious.

Provided by loriel099

Time 10m

Yield Makes Batch

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • Put the basil, garlic, salt and 2 or 3 grinds of pepper in a food processor and process until the basil and garlic are finely chopped, about 15 seconds.
  • With the machine runing, pour 1/4 cup of the olive oil down the feed tube in a slow, steady stream.
  • Turn off the processor and add the Parmigiano.
  • Process until the cheese is incorporated, about 20 seconds.
  • With the machine running, slowly add the remaining 1/4 cup oil.
  • Add the nuts and pulse until they're coarsely chopped.

BASIC PESTO



Basic Pesto image

Pesto is a mouthful of bright summer - basil made more so. You can buy it in a jar or in the refrigerator section of your grocery story, but there is nothing better than making it yourself. Fresh basil can be found in abundance at farmers' markets in the summer. Just clean, take the stems off and throw the leaves in a food processor with nuts and garlic. Dribble in the oil and you've got a versatile sauce for pasta, chicken or fish.

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Categories     easy, quick, condiments, editors' pick

Time 15m

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups fresh basil leaves (no stems)
2 tablespoons pine nuts or walnuts
2 large cloves garlic
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Combine basil leaves, pine nuts or walnuts and garlic in a food processor and process until very finely minced.
  • With the machine running slowly dribble in the oil and process until the mixture is smooth.
  • Add the cheese and process very briefly, just long enough to combine. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 82, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 49 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams

QUICK BASIL PESTO



Quick Basil Pesto image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Nuts & Seeds

Time 5m

Yield Makes 3/4 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 clove garlic, chopped
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted and chopped
3 cups packed basil leaves
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Pulse garlic, nuts, basil, oil, and cheese in a food processor until finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Freeze in ice-cube trays, or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Tips:

  • Use fresh basil: Fresh basil leaves have the best flavor and aroma for pesto. If you don't have access to fresh basil, you can use dried basil, but be sure to use half the amount since it is more concentrated.
  • Don't over-process the pesto: Pesto should be chunky, not smooth. Over-processing will make it lose its vibrant green color and fresh flavor.
  • Use a variety of nuts: You can use pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds in pesto. Each type of nut will give the pesto a slightly different flavor and texture.
  • Add a little lemon juice or vinegar: A little bit of lemon juice or vinegar will help to brighten the flavor of the pesto and keep it from tasting too heavy.
  • Use good quality olive oil: The olive oil you use in pesto should be extra virgin and have a good flavor. Don't use cheap olive oil, as it will make the pesto taste bland.

Conclusion:

Basil pesto is a versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta to pizza to grilled meats. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With these tips, you can make the best basil pesto every time.

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