Best 11 Classic Pesto Recipes

CLASSIC PESTO

Steps:

• Combine first 4 ingredients in blender. Blend until paste forms, stopping often to push down basil. Add both cheeses and salt; blend until smooth. Transfer to small bowl. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Top with 1/2 inch olive oil and chill.)

CLASSIC PESTO

Steps:

• Combine basil, oil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and salt in a food processor or blender. Mix until smooth.

CLASSIC PESTO

Steps:

• Place the basil, cheese, garlic and salt in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add nuts; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Store in an airtight container in the freezer up to 1 year.

CLASSIC PESTO

Steps:

• Add the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts and garlic to a food processor. Pulse a few times to break up the garlic and nuts. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and pulse a few more times, scraping down the sides as needed. With the motor running, stream in the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil and the lemon juice until a thick paste forms. Add salt and pepper to taste and pulse a few more times to combine.
• Remove and store, refrigerated in an airtight container, for up to 2 days (with a thin layer of olive oil drizzled on top so that it does not turn brown).

CLASSIC OMELET WITH SPINACH-BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat an 8-inch pan over medium-low heat for 2 minutes. Add oil and swirl to coat. Season eggs with salt and pepper and pour into pan.
• Cook, occasionally tilting pan and lifting up set egg. Cook until omelet is just set, 3 to 4 minutes (be careful to not let the bottom brown).
• Spread half the omelet with pesto and flip over other side. Continue to cook until pesto is warm, about 30 seconds more.

CLASSIC PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread nuts on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven until golden and fragrant, tossing once, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from baking sheet to prevent further browning. Let cool completely. In a food processor, combine nuts, basil, cheese, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Process until finely chopped. With machine running, pour oil in a steady stream through the feed tube; process until smooth.

CLASSIC TURKEY PESTO SANDWICH

Steps:

• For each sandwich, spread each slice of lightly toasted bread on one side with softened butter, pesto and white wine Dijon mustard (use more or less, to taste).
• Assemble your sandwich with romaine, slice of fresh tomato and thin slice of red onion, slice of provolone cheese, one or two thin slices lightly smoked deli turkey meat, and a light drizzle of balsamic.
• Slice in half to serve. Enjoy!

CLASSIC PESTO MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine ground beef, onion, pepper, pesto, bread crumbs, ricotta, salt and pepper; mix well. Roll meatballs into 1 1/2"-inch balls and freeze or cook.
• Saute: saute meatballs on the stove with 2 teaspoons canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat (taking care not to overcrowd the pan). Turn frequently to brown on all sides, until cooked through. Small meatballs will take 8-10 minutes.
• Bake: bake meatballs in a 350 oven in a glass baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Small meatballs will take 25 minutes.
• Grilled: freeze meatballs for 20 minutes, then skewer them close together on prepared kabob sticks and GRILL over medium-high heat on oiled grates, turning occasionally until cooked through. Small meatballs will take about 10 miutes.
• Freezing: Place rolled meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer to plastic storage containers or heavy-duty resealable bags, label and freeze for up to a month.
• Note: If the prepared pesto you buy is salty, reduce the kosher salt in this recipe.

CLASSIC MINESTRONE WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Rinse spinach leaves, set aside. If using large leaves, you may want to chop them. I just use the bag of small leaves, and don't chop. Heat oil in a large stockpot. Add the leeks, carrots, onion and celery and sauté over medium heat until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the stock or water, potato, zucchini, spinach and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 1 hour. Stir in the beans and salt to taste. Simmer just until the flavors have blended, about 10 minutes. (The soup can be refrigerated for 2 days and reheated just before serving.) I sauté Italian turkey sausage, or cut up precooked chicken/turkey pesto sausage (or anyone you like) and sauté it and then add it to the soup. It adds some additional protein and flavor or you can add basil pesto to taste instead ( ¼ cup is what is suggested in the recipe). Ladle soup into bowls and serve with grated cheese.

CLASSIC PESTO

Steps:

• Place pine nuts and garlic in food processor; process until finely chopped. Add half the basil and process until coarsely chopped. Add remaining basil. With machine running, pour oil in thin, steady stream through feed tube.
• Transfer pesto to mixing bowl and fold in cheese and salt with spatula. (This will make enough to sauce pasta for 6.).

CLASSIC PESTO

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in blender or food processor.
• Cover and blend on medium speed about 3 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape sides, until smooth.