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5 from 11 votes

Classic Basil Pesto

This Classic Basil Pesto recipe is made in just 15 minutes with plenty of fresh basil, parsley, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan cheese.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Basics, Sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: recipe using fresh basil
Servings: 1 servings
Calories: 1502kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 - 3 cloves garlic
  • 3 Tbsp pine nuts
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup fresh flat leaf Italian parsley
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • black pepper and/or additional salt to taste

Instructions

  • Add garlic cloves and pine nuts to a skillet and heat over MED LOW heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-5 minutes, until lightly toasted and fragrant. Set aside, off the heat.
  • Add garlic and pine nuts to a food processor, add lid, and pulse approximately 7-10 times.
  • Add basil and parsley, add lid, and pulse again, approximately 7-10 times.
  • Switch on the food processor to continuously run with the lid on, and slowly stream in the olive oil through the small hole in the processor lid.
  • Once it's come together and is all combined, remove lid and add cheese. Add lid and pulse a couple more times.
  • Taste, and add salt and pepper until it's to your liking.

Notes

  1. Recipe makes between 1.5 and 2 cups.  However you choose to divide that up into servings is up to you.

Nutrition

Calories: 1502kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 149g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 22g | Monounsaturated Fat: 90g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 1279mg | Potassium: 502mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3789IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 1051mg | Iron: 5mg