Basil Pesto Recipe & Video

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This basil pesto recipe is fast and easy. Serve it as a dip, with fish, or meat, or vegetables. One of the most delicious fresh sauces, you can learn how to make it right here with step-by-step instructions and a video.

basil pesto in a white bowl

If there is one thing, other than pizza, that I can give my kids over and over again, it is basil pesto. They love it and my husband and I love it, too.

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What is Pesto Made of?

If you're new to pesto, you need to know that it is a delicious sauce made with fresh herbs, nuts, garlic, olive oil, and cheese.

There are many variations, but our all-time favorite is made with basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil, and pine nuts.

Basil leaves

We serve it on pasta, on meat, on fish, as a dip, and, yes, even on pizza, too. Just please make sure you choose the freshest ingredients for a truly flavorful sauce.

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It's one of our favorite pizza sauces, as an alternative to using tomato sauce. Just add it to your pizza after baking to keep its vibrant green color.

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Cheese, pine nuts, garlic, oil, cheese, - pesto by MamaLatinaTips.com

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Here is our recipe

Basil Pesto Recipe

Makes approx  1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of fresh basil, washed and dried
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 3 tablespoons of shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 3/4 cup shredded Romano cheese
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

In a food processor combine basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan and Romano cheeses, and olive oil.

Pine nuts, garlic, and cheese in a food processor

Mix until well blended. Taste for salt (depending on the cheeses you are using it may need it or not) and pepper. Mix again.

If you notice the pesto is very thick add a little bit more oil.

That's it, ready to serve.

Pesto on a wooden spoon

Basil pesto sauce
5 from 24 votes

Basil Pesto Recipe

Prep Time7 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time12 minutes
Servings: 12 (2 tablespoons each)
Calories: 136kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of fresh basil washed and dried
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 3 tablespoons of shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 3/4 cup shredded Romano cheese
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a food processor combine basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan and Romano cheeses, and olive oil. Mix until well blended. Taste for salt (depending on the cheeses you are using it may need it or not) and pepper. Mix again.
  • If you notice the pesto is very thick add a little bit more oil.
  • That’s it, ready to serve.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Basil Pesto Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
136
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
14
g
22
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Cholesterol
 
7
mg
2
%
Sodium
 
96
mg
4
%
Potassium
 
45
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
1
g
0
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
 
352
IU
7
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
92
mg
9
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Salsas & Sauces
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Gluten Free
Keyword: how to make pesto, recipes with basil
Author: Silvia Martinez
Pesto in a glass bowl
Silvia Martinez
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