This amazing Fresh Pesto sauce is just bursting with flavor from fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, sautéed garlic, and fresh Parmesan Cheese. It takes just minutes to make and I love to serve it with grilled chicken and fish. This homemade pesto is so much better than store bought with considerably less salt. It is delectable in chicken salad, egg salad, and potato salad.
With so much flavor packed in this sauce there are so many great dishes for serving it with. I often serve it with Zucchini Noodles, Air Fryer Salmon, and Grilled Shrimp Kebabs.
How to make Pesto Sauce
Start by toasting the pine nuts in a skillet over medium heat. Then remove them to a plate and let them cool. Next add the a little olive oil to same skillet over medium low heat. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove the garlic to a small bowl to cool.
Then combine the fresh basil and toasted pine nuts in a food processor or blender and pulse for about 10 seconds. Now add the garlic and Parmesan cheese and pulse a few more seconds. Then with the food processor running slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Now season with salt and pepper to taste.
Recipes notes
- Other herbs can be added like cilantro, parsley, kale, or mint.
- Walnuts can be substituted for the pine nuts or use a mixture of the two.
- Add a little pizzazz with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- You can still use a mortar and a pestle but it is so much easier with a food processor or a blender.
- Pesto has a short refrigerator life so freeze it in ice cube trays before adding the cheese. Once frozen store in a freezer storage bag for up to 6 months. Remove as many cubes as you want and thaw in the fridge overnight. Then add the cheese and use in your favorite recipe.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Uses for pesto sauce
- Pasta – penne, ziti, fettucine, spaghetti, and fusilli
- Vegetables – roasted, grilled, zoodles (zucchini noodles), cauliflower, cauliflower gnocchi
- Protein – chicken, pork, seafood, steak, and meatloaf
- Other goodies – pizza, sandwiches, French or Italian bread
Other sauces you will love!
Fresh Pesto Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese or Pecorino Romano
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the pine nuts. Toast 2-3 minutes stirring very frequently. Plate them to cool.
- Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in same skillet over medium low heat. Cook garlic 1 minute; stirring frequently. Remove from heat and cool.
- Combine the fresh basil and toasted pine nuts in a food processor and pulse for 10 seconds. Add the garlic and Parmesan cheese and pulse 2-3 seconds.
- With the food processor running slowly drizzle in the 1/2 cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Other herbs can be added like cilantro, parsley, kale, or mint.
- Walnuts can be substituted for the pine nuts or use a mixture of the two.
- Add a little pizzazz with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- You can still use a mortar and a pestle but it is so much easier with a food processor or a blender.
- Pesto has a short refrigerator life so freeze it in ice cube trays before adding the cheese. Once frozen store in a freezer storage bag for up to 6 months. Remove as many cubes as you want and thaw in the fridge overnight. Then add the cheese and use in your favorite recipe.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
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Marysa
Pesto is one of my favorite foods. However, it has been many, many years since I made it fresh myself. This looks so flavorful.
Rose Ann Sales
Oh my! This is such a really great and very easy to make recipe! I would love to try this out!
Richelle Milar
This look so good and tasty! IT is so easy to make, thank you for sharing the instruction on how to do it!
Gervin Khan
I love pesto sauce for my pasta. This one is so easy, and I am so excited to make this. Thank you!
Kathy
I recently tried pesto sauce for the first time and I love it. I’ll have to try out this recipe. I love more homemade items, so I’m sure this is amazing.
Catalina
I love pesto sauce. And it’s great to make it at home. I will try your recipe!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
Fresh pesto is yummy. It tastes so much better than the shop bought stuff. I must try your recipe I seem to have misplaced mine.
Tara Pittman
My husband loves pesto. I need to make this and I wonder if I could sub vegan parmesan for the regular stuff.
Ashley Thompson
Sounds incredible! I always buy jars of premade pesto at the grocery store, but I’m excited to try making my own at home 🙂
Amber Myers
I love pesto sauce. I will have to make this the next time we have pasta.
Mandee
I’ve never made fresh pesto, but you make it looks so easy! I’m drooling!
Maria
Homemade pesto is much more healthier than the ones bought outside. Will try this recipe!