Quick and Easy Basil Pesto Sauce Recipe
This Quick and Easy Pesto Sauce is a fresh, vibrant blend of basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and extra-virgin olive oil. Ready in just 10 minutes using a food processor, it’s a perfect homemade condiment to elevate pasta dishes, salads, grilled meats, or sandwiches with rich, herbaceous flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American, Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½–¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Chop pine nuts and garlic: Add the pine nuts and garlic cloves into a food processor. Pulse for about 10 seconds until they are coarsely chopped but not pureed.
- Blend basil and seasonings: Add the fresh basil leaves, salt, and black pepper to the food processor. Blend for about 1 minute until the mixture forms a thick paste.
- Add olive oil: Gradually pour in the extra-virgin olive oil while blending until the pesto reaches a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and blend again just until combined. Taste the pesto and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
- Store or serve: Use the pesto immediately for the best flavor or store it in an airtight jar. Pour a thin layer of olive oil on top before sealing to preserve freshness for up to one week when refrigerated.
Notes
- For a thinner pesto, add more olive oil gradually until desired consistency is reached.
- Use fresh basil leaves for the brightest flavor; young leaves tend to be sweeter and more tender.
- Pine nuts can be lightly toasted before blending for added depth of flavor.
- The pesto can be frozen in ice cube trays for longer storage and easy portioning.
- Great as a sauce for pasta, a spread on sandwiches, or a topping for grilled meats and vegetables.
Find it online: http://bitezly.com/quick-and-easy-basil-pesto-sauce-recipe/
