Easy Pesto Recipe
This easy pesto recipe combines toasted pine nuts or cashews with fresh basil, parmesan or a vegetarian alternative, garlic, and olive oil to create a vibrant, flavorful sauce perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. The nuts are lightly toasted to enhance their flavor before blending, resulting in a fresh and aromatic pesto that can be prepared quickly and stored in the fridge for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 150ml of pesto (about 6 servings) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 50g pine nuts or cashews
- Large bunch of basil, leaves picked (approximately 50g)
- 50g parmesan or vegetarian alternative, grated
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 100ml olive oil
Instructions
- Toast the nuts: Heat a dry pan over low heat and toast the pine nuts or cashews gently, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. This enhances their flavor without burning them.
- Combine ingredients: Transfer the toasted nuts to a mini chopper or blender. Add the picked basil leaves, chopped garlic, and parmesan or vegetarian alternative to the nuts.
- Blend the pesto: Blitz the mixture briefly, then slowly pour in the olive oil while continuing to blend until a rough, slightly chunky sauce forms. Alternatively, use a large pestle and mortar to pound the ingredients into a coarse sauce, scraping the sides as needed for even blending.
- Store the pesto: Spoon the pesto into a clean jar or container and cover it tightly. It will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil before sealing.
Notes
- You can substitute pine nuts with cashews for a different but equally creamy texture.
- Using a vegetarian alternative to parmesan makes this recipe suitable for vegetarians.
- Ensure not to over-toast the nuts as they can become bitter.
- Store pesto in an airtight container topped with olive oil to prevent browning.
- Pesto can be used immediately or chilled and served within three days for best freshness.
Keywords: pesto, easy pesto, basil sauce, homemade pesto, italian sauce, pine nuts, cashews, garlic pesto
Find it online: https://spiceupwithsophie.com/easy-pesto-recipe/
