Easy Pesto Sauce Recipe with Fresh Basil

This easy pesto sauce recipe is so simple to make! In under 10 minutes you can have a homemade and delicious basil pesto that is perfect for appetizers, pizza or even to make pesto chicken! Do not buy store bought when the seasonings and ingredients are so easy to obtain and create.

You won’t be sorry!

Easy Pesto Sauce 

Pesto is one of those ingredients that is used in delicious things like pizza, chicken, caprese and tons of salads. There are creamy pesto sauces, Alfredo pesto sauces- I mean once you have a basic recipe down and know how to make pesto, you can really get involve with making it a highlight in a ton of other recipes. 

And there really isn’t much to an easy pesto sauce recipe. 

• 3 cups fresh basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup pine nuts

Note on pine nuts: pine nuts can be pretty strong for some people so if you want a fun substitute, try walnuts instead!

Meal Prep for Pesto: I am a fan of shredded Parmesan or fresh Parmesan in recipes versus grated.

In a pesto recipe like this, the basil pesto is a bit more dense and with more texture than if you use grated. If you ever try a jarred pesto sauce, you will know what I mean. 

If you prefer a smoother texture, you can substitute for a Kraft Grated cheese.

How to make Pesto

Place all ingredients in a food processor.

Process for 10 seconds before scraping down the sides and repeating until mixture is evenly blended.

If mixture is to thick, add additional oil, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Makes about 2/3 cup homemade pesto.

What is Pesto Sauce Used for? 

These recipes can be enhanced by adding fresh pesto! Use it to spread, dip, and dial up the flavor of these amazing recipes.

• Caprese Sandwich Sliders
• Caprese Salad
• Caprese Stuffed Chicken

Italian Recipe Ideas

• Pull apart pizza bread
• hot caprese dip
• caprese skewers

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Easy Pesto Sauce Recipe with Fresh Basil

Easy Pesto Sauce Recipe with Fresh Basil and Pine nuts, a classic basil pesto. This pesto sauce recipe is so easy to make! In under 10 minutes you can have homemade and delicious basil pesto that is perfect for appetizers, pizza or even to make pesto chicken! 

Course condiment, dips

Cuisine Italian

Keyword dip, easy pesto sauce, pesto, pesto sauce recipe, sauce

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Author Salty Side Dish

Ingredients

• 3 cups basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup pine nuts

Instructions

• Place all ingredients in a food processor.
• Process for 10 seconds before scraping down the sides and repeating until mixture is evenly blended.
• If mixture is to thick, add additional oil, 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Makes about 2/3 cup pesto

How to make Classic Pesto

Make sure you pin this pesto recipe for later!

1. Place all pesto ingredients in a food processor.
2. Process for 10 seconds before scraping down the sides and repeating until mixture is evenly blended.
3. If mixture is to thick, add additional oil, 1 tablespoon at a time.
4. Makes about 2/3 cup pesto.