Easy Basil Pesto with Pine Nuts and Parmesan Recipe
This easy pesto recipe combines toasted nuts, fresh basil, parmesan, garlic, and olive oil to create a vibrant and flavorful sauce perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. Quick to make and versatile, it adds a fresh herbal touch to any meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 150ml of pesto 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 50g pine nuts or cashews
- Large bunch of basil, leaves picked
- 50g parmesan or vegetarian alternative
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 100ml olive oil
Instructions
- Toast Nuts: Place the pine nuts or cashews in a pan over low heat and toast them gently, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes to enhance their flavor.
- Prepare Ingredients: Once toasted, transfer the nuts to a mini chopper along with the fresh basil leaves, chopped garlic, and parmesan cheese or vegetarian alternative.
- Make Pesto: Blitz the mixture briefly to combine all ingredients into a rough sauce. Alternatively, use a large pestle and mortar to pound the ingredients together manually for a traditional texture.
- Add Olive Oil: Gradually pour the olive oil into the mix while chipping or pounding until you achieve the desired consistency of sauce.
- Store and Serve: Transfer the pesto to a container and refrigerate. It will keep fresh for up to three days in the fridge and can be served with pasta, bread, or as a condiment.
Notes
- If you prefer a nuttier flavor, use pine nuts; for a creamier texture, cashews work well.
- You can substitute parmesan with a vegetarian hard cheese to keep the recipe vegetarian.
- Store pesto in an airtight container and drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top to preserve freshness.
- Fresh garlic is key for the authentic flavor, but if you prefer a milder taste, reduce the garlic amount.
- Use the pesto within three days to enjoy the best flavor and avoid spoilage.
Keywords: pesto, easy pesto, basil sauce, homemade pesto, Italian sauce, basil pesto, vegetarian pesto, quick pesto
