Pesto Sauce is a delicious and easy recipe. It is busting with fresh flavors and how easily it comes together. This Pesto Sauce tastes infinitely better than store-bought versions.
This classic, simple basil pesto recipe with fresh basil leaves, walnuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper is delicious with pasta, pizza and as a sandwich spread.
Ingredients and Variations
- Basil: Fresh basil leaves are the base of this pesto recipe. Try adding parsley, cilantro or mint along with basil for variation.
- Pine Nuts: Pine nuts are the traditional choice as they add structure to the pesto. You can swap them for walnuts, pistachios, or almonds. Try with a combination of your favorite nuts.
- Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan is salty and creamy, and tones down the flavor of the basil. Parmesan cheese adds a little saltiness and helps the pesto stick together. I have used vegetarian version.
- Garlic: It goes without saying that garlic adds incredible flavor to the pesto and makes it more interesting.
- Olive Oil: Not only does olive oil add flavor, it also helps create an unbeatable creamy and rich consistency.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice brighten ups the color and really helps the other flavors shine. Many recipes don’t call for it, but I highly recommend it.
- Salt & Pepper: Both add flavor.
I have basil growing in my balcony, all round the year. The plants do so well that we can’t use it up fast enough. What to do? Basil pesto, of course! Here is a simple recipe.
You can also checkout our other sauces and dips like enchilada sauce, red pepper sauce and yogurt dip.
You may watch our Video on making of Pesto Spread.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 7 minutes
Ingredients for Homemade Pesto Sauce
2 cups basil
6 to 7 pods of garlic
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil + 1 tablespoon
1/3 cup pine nuts/walnuts
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
Directions for Homemade Pesto Recipe
- Transfer all the ingredients in a blender and blend to a coarse paste. (Except 1 tablespoon oil)
- Adjust the seasoning and keep in a glass bottle.
- Top with 1 tablespoon of oil to avoid discoloration.
- Refrigerate and use when required
I had no idea that pesto is so easy to make and so tasty..1 of the easiest things to make and 5 star quality. It was better than my favourite Italian restaurant’s pesto.
I used it for a pasta recipe. And loved having it. Like the chef mentioned, I used pistachios but it was amazing. 💗
Thank you so much for such an amazing feedback. Great to hear that you tried homemade pesto and it came out like any 5-star quality restaurent.