Homemade pesto is a versatile and flavorful sauce that can elevate a variety of dishes. Made with fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil, it’s a classic Italian sauce that is perfect for pasta, sandwiches, salads, and more. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make a delicious batch of homemade pesto that you can enjoy with your favorite dishes.
Ingredients for Homemade Pesto:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How to Make Homemade Pesto:
- Toast the Pine Nuts: In a small skillet, toast the pine nuts over medium heat until they are lightly golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Blend Basil and Nuts: In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, and minced garlic. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- Add Parmesan: Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the food processor and pulse a few times to combine.
- Stream in Olive Oil: With the food processor running, slowly stream in the olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
- Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper to taste, and blend again until everything is well combined.
About the Main Ingredients:
- Basil: The key ingredient in pesto, basil adds a fresh, aromatic flavor to the sauce. Use fresh basil for the best results.
- Pine Nuts: Pine nuts provide a rich, buttery flavor and a creamy texture to the pesto. Toasting them before adding them to the sauce enhances their flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
- Olive Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is used to blend the ingredients together and add a rich, smooth texture to the pesto.
Enjoy your homemade pesto tossed with pasta, spread on sandwiches, or drizzled over grilled vegetables. This recipe makes about 1 cup of pesto and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
