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Basil Pesto

Fresh basil pesto is a breeze to make in your food processor.  Enjoy in so many ways: with pasta; on pizzas and crostini or add a spoonful to soups to brighten up the flavors!
Course Sauces
Cuisine Italian
Keyword basil pesto, how to make basil pesto
Prep Time 1 hour
Servings 1 cup pesto
Calories 612kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 cups packed basil leaves washed and dried
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated parmigiano cheese
  • 1 garlic clove
  • pinch salt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

  • Place basil; parmigiano cheese; garlic and salt in the bowl of your food processor.
  • With the motor running, slowly add oil from the top feeder of your food processor. Blend until smooth.
  • If you prefer a smoother or thinner consistency, you may also add an extra tablespoon or two of olive oil as needed.

Notes

 

  • Pesto keeps well stored in the freezer. Place prepared pesto in ice cube trays, freeze until solid and then transfer cubes to a well sealed freezer bag.  They keep well up to a year in the freezer.
Enjoy pesto in so many ways:
  • Serve stirred into pasta
  • Stir a spoonful of pesto in soups and stews it to brighten up the flavors
  • Slathered on a pizza crust instead of sauce or on crostini 
  • As a stuffing for chicken breasts

Nutrition

Calories: 612kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 62g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 388mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 5280IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 447mg | Iron: 4mg