Basil Pesto is easy to prepare and a wonderful way to use up fresh summer basil. Below you’ll find an easy pesto recipe plus unique ways to use it beyond pasta.
When a recipe or restaurant menu mentions “pesto,” it is widely understood that it refers to the classic and renowned variation known as Basil Pesto, also referred to as Genoese pesto or Pesto alla Genovese. This delightful combination of fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil is the epitome of traditional pesto!
Why You’ll Love This Basil Pesto Recipe
- If you haven’t made basil pesto from scratch, let me just tell you right now that it just doesn’t compare to what you buy at the supermarket. I’ve used the jarred stuff in a pinch and it’s really not too bad but it’s not fresh homemade pesto.
- Basil pesto is one of those things that is easy to make and great on the taste buds but – aside from pasta – a lot of folks just don’t know what to do with it. And there are so many wonderful ways in which to use it!
- In the middle of summer when you can get loads of fresh basil just about anywhere and it takes just minutes to whirl it in your food processor with just a few other ingredients…there’s really no reason not to make it simply because nothing else can compare. It just tastes FRESH.
Basil Pesto Ingredients
This is an authentic basil pesto recipe however different types of pesto incorporate ingredients like spinach, arugula, salami, walnuts, almonds, tomatoes or sun dried tomatoes, for added flavor and texture.
Basil: Fresh basil adds a fragrant and refreshing touch to the basil pesto sauce.
Pine nuts: The creamy and nutty element that compliments the rest of the ingredients.
Garlic: Provides a savory and zingy notes.
Extra-virgin olive oil (EEVO): The base that also contributes its own flavors of grassiness, bitterness, and a subtle peppery finish.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Elevates and enhances the other ingredients.
Parmesan: Parmigiano-Reggiano adds a savory and umami element to the basil pesto sauce.
Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe card with exact measurements and recipe instructions.
How to Make Basil Pesto
This easy basil pesto recipe takes just five minutes to prepare!
- Add all the ingredients except parmesan to a food processor or high-powered blender. Blend on high until it’s very smooth.
- Add the parmesan and blend it again until it’s smooth.
Difference Between Pistou And Pesto
Pistou and pesto are two distinct sauces used in Mediterranean cuisine where pistou is often used as a finishing touch or stirred into dishes, while pesto is a versatile sauce used in various recipes like pasta dishes and spreads.
Pistou has origins from the Provence region of France and is made with fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil. While Pesto hails from Italy’s Liguria region and is typically made with the same base ingredients while also incorporating additional ingredients such as pine nuts and Parmesan cheese.
25 Unique Ideas for Using Pesto
As promised, here’s a list of 25 delicious basil pesto ideas. My favorites are tossing it with hot, roasted or grilled vegetables, adding to a steak or mixing into hot cannellini beans for an easy side dish. Or as a dip for garlic bread!
- Mix some into softened butter then use it as a delicious topping for grilled fish or steak.
- As a sandwich spread (alone or mixed with mayonnaise) for a flavorful twist.
- As a topping for hot, grilled chicken to add an extra layer of flavor.
- Add a spoonful to hot soup (especially tomato or minestrone).
- Roast or grill vegetables, then toss them with pesto.
- Pesto mashed potatoes or mac and cheese! Just stir some in before serving.
- Toss it with fresh pasta then top with freshly-grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for a quick and delicious meal.
- Use it as a topping for baked potatoes for burst of freshness and zing.!
- Mix some into plain greek yogurt or sour cream for an easy and tasty dip.
- Use it as a base for pizza instead of traditional pizza sauce. Finish it with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Slice an avocado and toss it with a tablespoon of pesto for an easy snack.
- Toss it with hot cannellini beans for an easy side dish.
- Use it as a sauce for seared scallops.
- Or as a dip for hot jumbo shrimp!
- Spread some on puff pastry, add sliced tomatoes, then bake it for an easy tart.
- Slather it on fresh corn on the cob for a unique twist.
- OR…remove the kernels from freshly cooked corn and toss it with pesto for an easy side dish.
- Roast some fingerling potatoes, gently crush then spoon pesto over the top.
- Spread softened goat cheese in a shallow dish and top it with pesto. Serve with crackers.
- It makes a fantastic burger topping! You can even mix it in with the burger meat before grilling.
- Mix it with mayonnaise and use that for your next potato salad.
- Stir it into hummus and serve it with crunchy vegetables and pita chips.
- Make pesto croutons: toss stale bread cubes with olive oil, then a few tablespoons of pesto. Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
- Mix some with a small amount of heated heavy cream and pour it over pasta or rice. This is amazing over cauliflower rice!
- Stir some into whisked eggs before cooking or use a topping for your eggs once they’re finished!
If you liked this post, you might also enjoy 20 things to do with a Balsamic Reduction and 25 things to do with Roasted Garlic.
Basil Pesto Recipe
Basil Pesto is easy to prepare and a wonderful way to use up fresh summer basil.
Ingredients
- 2 cups basil (lightly packed)
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2/3 cup high quality extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup shredded parmesan
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients except parmesan to a food processor or high-powered blender. Blend on high until it's very smooth.
- Add the parmesan and blend it again until it's smooth.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 231Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 260mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 4g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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