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Home » Condiment » Basil Pesto

March 5, 2015 16 Comments

Basil Pesto

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This traditional Basil Pesto is perfect mixed with pasta, spread on a sandwich, or used as a pizza topping! cookingwithcurls.com

I am on a bit of a Basil Pesto kick right now! If you are following me on instagram, which you should, you have probably seen the “Greens Pizza” from the Lincoln winebar that I am obsessed with. Well I have been trying to recreate that pizza at home…..all week long! I am getting closer, but the crust is still not quite right…..

This traditional Basil Pesto is perfect mixed with pasta, spread on a sandwich, or used as a pizza topping! cookingwithcurls.com

This Basil Pesto on the other hand, is absolutely perfect!! This is a pretty straight forward, and readily available recipe. Basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and extra virgin olive oil blended into a thick paste that is perfect mixed with pasta, like this Shrimp Pesto, or spread on a Roast Beef Pesto Panini.

It is so versatile, and can be used a million different ways! It’s also super simple to make!

How to make Basil Pesto:

Place basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, and pine nuts in the bowl of a food processor…..

Basil Pesto ingredients cookingwithcurls.com

Pulse until mixture is finely chopped…..

Basil Pesto Process cookingwithcurls.com

With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until incorporated…..

Basil Pesto oil cookingwithcurls.com

Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week…..

Traditional Basil Pesto ready to be used! cookingwithcurls.com

I used 2 of those plastic packages of fresh basil that you buy in the produce section, and it was only enough basil leaves to make 1/2 of this recipe {1/2 cup total}. That is enough to make 2 Greens Pizzas…..

Greens Pizza | cookingwithcurls.com

So it looks like I will be heading back to the grocery store to buy more basil and more arugula so I can continue my quest for the perfect Italian Pizza Dough!!!

Are you a pesto lover or hater? What else should I try it on? Oooh, I think I see a Shrimp Pesto Pizza in my future. 😉

Enjoy!!

This traditional Basil Pesto is perfect mixed with pasta, spread on a sandwich, or used as a pizza topping! cookingwithcurls.com

Basil Pesto

This traditional Basil Pesto is perfect mixed with pasta, spread on a sandwich, or used as a pizza topping!
5 from 1 vote
Print
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: basil, Parmesan, cheese, pine nuts, recipe, condiment, Italian
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 1493kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves packed
  • 2 large cloves garlic smashed
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • sea salt & fresh ground pepper

Instructions

  • Place basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts in the bowl of a food processor.
  • Pulse until mixture is finely chopped.
  • With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil until incorporated.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

Nutrition calculation is for the entire recipe, not per serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 1493kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 153g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 770mg | Potassium: 472mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2965IU | Vitamin C: 10.5mg | Calcium: 650mg | Iron: 5.1mg
Previous Post: « Homemade Chocolate Pudding
Next Post: Pie Crust Spoons »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    March 06, 2015 at 9:21 am

    We LOVE making homemade pesto. That pizza mayyyy not have enough cheese for me, the cheese freak, but it still looks delicious. 😉 Pinned!

    Reply
  2. Seana Turner says

    March 06, 2015 at 11:45 am

    I love pesto. I often mix it with broccoli and quinoa and either shrimp or chicken for dinner – yum!!

    Reply
  3. Ashleigh says

    March 06, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    I’ve been in need of a good homemade pesto!! Thank you for sharing! Pinned it! xx Ashleigh @SimplyWright #linkpartypalooza

    Reply
  4. Simi Jois says

    March 07, 2015 at 7:26 pm

    I LOOOOOOVE that rich green color, all I want to do is reach out and grab that cup. Beautiful blog.

    Reply
  5. Jennifer Abel says

    March 07, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    Hello Lisa so nice to meet you. love your blog. I am a huge basil lover so this pesto is perfect for my ever growing list of basil recipes. I found you at #partyfromthelanddownunder. I will be back

    Reply
  6. Maria says

    March 09, 2015 at 7:45 pm

    Your pesto sounds amazing, as do the dishes you made using it!!! The panini sounds so delicious!!!!!

    Reply
  7. Katherines Corner says

    March 10, 2015 at 8:12 am

    One of my favorite things, your looks perfect! I am hopping over from project inspired. I invite you to share at my Thursday hop too ♥ xo

    Reply
  8. Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says

    March 10, 2015 at 9:05 am

    I can’t WAIT to make this, Lisa! I love, breath, and LOVE pesto but I’ve never made my own. Pinning to try soon!!!

    Reply
  9. Joy | The Joyful Foodie says

    March 11, 2015 at 1:19 am

    I love basil pesto, but I’ve never made it for myself. Kind of weird since I make other pestos fairly regularly. 😛 Thanks for sharing this. I’m pinning this in anticipation of warmer weather when the basil overfloweth.

    Also, I’ve never had good luck with thin, Italian style crust at home. I’ve never lived with an oven that got hot enough to get the right texture, so I’ve always had to settle for a bit more fluff in my home made crusts.

    Reply
  10. Patti says

    March 11, 2015 at 8:56 am

    Basil is on my list to grow this year…then freeze what I can’t use for winter pesto! I have also heard that you can make fresh and freeze.

    Reply
  11. Cindy @ Upcycled Design Lab says

    March 11, 2015 at 9:05 am

    Thanks for sharing. I love pesto and really want to try this.

    Reply
  12. Minela says

    March 11, 2015 at 11:10 am

    I love pesto with pasta and vegetables but I’ve never made my own, this one looks really tasty and is really simple!

    Reply
  13. Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says

    March 11, 2015 at 11:16 am

    I looooooovvve basil pesto!! Love your pics, Lisa! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Nikki Frank-Hamilton says

    March 11, 2015 at 7:17 pm

    That looks delicious. I am pinning this so I can find it when I need it. I love pesto pasta…love it! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  15. Creatively Homespun says

    March 15, 2015 at 11:50 am

    oooooo! I can’t wait until its picking season and I can try this with my own basil!!! YUM! Thanks for sharing at the Weekend Re-Treat! I’ll be pinning for sure!

    Reply
  16. Susan says

    March 18, 2015 at 8:51 am

    My oldest daughter is a huge pesto fan. I can’t wait to surprise her with homemade pesto. Thanks for sharing at the This Is How We Roll Link Party on Organized 31.

    Reply

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