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If you're looking for a way to increase your flavor profile, definitely try out this homemade pesto recipe. So flavorful and easy to make!
Homemade Pesto Recipe – SO good to make at home!
Check out how easy it is to make this Homemade Pesto recipe with just a few ingredients!
This recipe will knock your socks off. Once you make it you will never buy it from the store again.
The key really is to make sure to use fresh Basil leaves.
You can use basil spice but the consistency will not be as good. I love this recipe because I can use all organic products and fresh basil from my Aero Garden!
Ingredients for this Homemade Pesto Recipe:
- fresh basil
- shredded parmesan cheese
- extra virgin olive oil
- walnut or pine nuts
- garlic cloves
- lemon or lemon juice
- Italian seasoning
Here's how to make this walnut pesto:
This pesto recipe honestly could NOT be easier to make. Simply add all of your ingredients into a food processor and then blend until your desired consistency. If you'd like to use a mortar and pestle, you can.  I find the processor running for a few minutes works just fine for me 🙂
You can also season with salt and pepper if you prefer, but I find it usually isn't needed. The recipe below makes about 3/4 cup of pesto, and can be doubled for larger recipes.
Homemade Pesto Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil Can use dried but reduce to 1 cup if using dried
- 1 cup shredded parmesan
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup walnut or pine nuts
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 fresh lemon squeezed can use 1/4 cup of lemon juice instead of fresh
- Italian seasoning optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients in a food processor until your desired consistency. This recipe makes equivalent of 3/4 cup of pesto.
Can you freeze pesto?
YES! You can choose to freeze this or it can be refrigerated up to 7 days! I usually whip up this pesto recipe just before using it.
If you're going to freeze it, you can use an ice cube tray. That way you have small amounts you can pull out and use as you need. You can also pop the squares out of the tray and store in a freezer bag.
Can you make a nut free pesto?
Yes! If you're looking to make this pesto recipe nut free, you can definitely try these substitutes. While the texture might not be the same, the flavor profile should be similar. Here are some ideas of options you could use – just substitute any of these items for the nuts in the recipe listed:
- white beans
- edamame
- sunflower seeds
If you have a specific nut allergy (walnut or pine), you can also substitute these nut varieties in this recipe:
- cashews
- pistachios
- almonds
- hazelnuts
- pecans
- macadamia nuts
- brazil nuts
Here are some recipes to try with this sauce too!
Chicken Pesto Tortellini BakeÂ
You can find these recipes with pesto (plus even MORE recipes (and desserts!) in our menu planning made easy sets. When you purchase a menu plan, you also will get membership to our amazing private facebook group. It's full of the most encouraging folks on the planet. 🙂
Can you substitute nutritional yeast for Parmesan to make it vegan?
We have never tried that before Nancy, but I am sure it would work! Let us know if you give it a try.