Last Updated on August 19, 2024 by Michelle Mundy
Simple Garlic Basil Pesto is zesty and vibrant with fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, nutty Parmesan, and just the right hint of garlic!
Fresh basil is one of the best parts of summer! This Simple Garlic Basil Pesto is an amazingly delicious way to capture all of that summer freshness in a simple homemade sauce.
From pasta to pork, this pesto takes pretty much everything to the next level. Vibrant and delicious!
What You’ll Need to Make Simple Garlic Basil Pesto
- Pine Nuts – Our absolute favorite thing to use in this recipe, toasted. Substitutions include pecans, walnuts or almonds.
- Medium Lemon – Ripe, juiced. If using bottled lemon juice instead, you will need 2 tablespoons.
- Garlic Cloves – 2 medium, peeled. If using minced garlic or garlic paste, use 1 teaspoon.
- Salt & Pepper – Sea salt (or kosher salt) and black pepper, fresh ground if possible.
- Fresh Basil Leaves – There’s really no substitutions that will be as delicious. You need 2-3 cups, stems removed.
- Olive Oil – We prefer to use extra virgin olive oil for the best results but if you don’t have any, regular olive oil may be used or you can even substitute Canola, sunflower, safflower or avocado oil.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated is best for flavor and texture but packaged grated will work and in a pinch, even green shaker Parm will work!
What are pine nuts and how do you toast them?
What are Pine Nuts?
Pine nuts are the edible seeds that are found in the pine cones that grow on certain varieties of pine trees. These buttery, tear drop shaped nuts are most commonly used to make pesto sauce in Italian cooking. They are delicious and toasting them increases their complex flavors and crunch!
How do you toast pine nuts?
Pine nuts are inherently oily, so toasting them is a quick and easy way to intensify their flavor for a more distinctive bite.
To toast them, add the pine nuts to a small skillet and heat over medium-low heat. There is no need to oil the pan as pine nuts give off natural oils and they won’t stick.
Cook for between 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Typically, once you can smell them, they are done. Be sure not to walk away. You don’t want to burn them!
Once they have begun to brown, just stir and remove the pan from the heat. They will brown a little more in the hot pan. Set aside until ready to use!
How to make Simple Garlic Basil Pesto
This Simple Garlic Basil Pesto is an amazingly delicious way to capture all of that summer freshness in a simple homemade sauce. Fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, nutty Parmesan, and just the right hint of garlic!
Zesty & vibrant, this pesto takes pretty much everything to the next level. Wonderful in sauces, on chicken, pork or pasta, Endless possibilities!
Toast the the pine nuts by adding them to a small skillet and heating over medium-low heat. Cook for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
To the bowl of a medium sized food processor, add the toasted pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic cloves, sea salt and black pepper. Process by pulsing a few times until the pine nuts have started to break down.
Open the food processor and add in the basil leaves. Pulse until the basil has combined with the pine nut mixture. Scrape down the sides of the food processor.
Add about half of the olive oil and pulse until incorporated and drizzle the rest of the olive oil into the pesto while pulsing.
Remove the lid, scrape the sides a final time, add in the Parmesan cheese and pulse once or twice to combine.
Remove the pesto to a small container and use immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Enjoy!
Other Easy Sauces You Might Like
Cheddar Cheese Sauce for Veggies – Crazy easy cheese sauce that is good on potatoes, broccoli, carrots… whatever you like. And it takes no time at all.
Fresh Lime Chimichurri Sauce – an easy to make vibrant green sauce packed full of fresh herbs and olive oil.
Four Ingredient Alfredo Sauce – a restaurant quality Alfredo sauce that compliments any pasta, with only 4 ingredients!
Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce – Ingredients from your pantry bring the flavors of Mexico right into your kitchen!
Simple Stir Fry Sauce – it doesn’t look fancy or special but it creates the perfect authentic tasting stir fry!
Simple Garlic Basil Pesto
Ingredients
Method
- Toast the the pine nuts by adding them to a small skillet and heating over medium-low heat. Cook for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- To the bowl of a medium sized food processor, add the toasted pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic cloves, sea salt and black pepper. Process by pulsing a few times until the pine nuts have started to break down.
- Open the food processor and add in the basil leaves. Pulse until the basil has combined with the pine nut mixture. Scrape down the sides of the food processor.
- Add about half of the olive oil and pulse until incorporated and drizzle the rest of the olive oil into the pesto while pulsing.
- Remove the lid, scrape the sides a final time, add in the Parmesan cheese and pulse once or twice to combine.
- Remove the pesto to a small container and use immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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