Herb Basil Pesto is a great addition to just about any dish! Basil, herbs, garlic, oil, and pine nuts are blended together to create a powerful and flavorful sauce that is great on pesto pasta, chicken, pizza, or pork!
This easy Italian Basil Pesto sauce is delicious and easy to make! It adds an incredibly fresh flavor to just about any dish! The nuttiness from the pine nuts paired with the garlic, herbs, and basil seriously pesto is so easy to make, you will never buy pesto again!
I love a good pesto on pasta, shrimp or drizzled over pizza. This easy herb basil pesto recipe comes from my sister (and bestie) Candace (who also works with me here on Spend With Pennies)!
This sauce is fresh, delicious and all of these pesto ingredients pack quite a punch, so a little bit goes a long way with this sauce!
It’s perfect over pasta but it’s also great drizzled over plain cream cheese as an appetizer or drizzled over our fave Margherita pizza!
What is Pesto?
Pesto is a simple sauce that requires no cooking. Traditionally, it is made by combining fresh basil, pine nuts (or other nuts), olive oil, and parmesan cheese in a blender. Once smooth and blended, this sauce can be enjoyed on pasta, pizza or grilled meats.
The great thing about homemade pesto is how customizable it is. You can add more or less of any ingredients you would like to change the flavor of your basil pesto!
If you’re looking for things to do with fresh basil, or if you have a garden full of excess herbs, you’ll love this recipe! You can use all basil or substitute half with herbs or even spinach! It’s the perfect dish to make with my garden herbs (I love adding dill, parsley, cilantro). I would suggest the more leafy herbs, using really strong pungent herbs like rosemary or sage can overpower the pesto.
The pine nuts can be swapped for cashews, walnuts, almonds, or pecans depending on what you have in your pantry!
How To Make Pesto
The easiest way to make pesto is in a food processor, but you can use a blender if you’d prefer. Begin by adding your herbs and some of the oil into the food processor or blender, and blend to break everything up.
Add your remaining ingredients, one at a time, in order. Slowly drizzle in the remaining oil until you have a smooth paste. If you prefer a chunkier pesto, blend it a little less!
If you notice your pesto is a little too thick, add another splash of olive oil to your processor. Remember to scrape the sides of your processor while you use it to ensure you get everything combined correctly! I love adding this pesto to roasted cherry tomato pasta for an extra oomph! It is seriously delicious and flavorful.
Can You Freeze Pesto?
Yes, you can freeze pesto!
Basil Pesto sauce lasts a few days after you make it in the fridge, but you can freeze it for future use if you would like. My favorite way to do this is in an ice cube tray! Just add a little olive oil into your ice cube tray and scoop the pesto into it. When you need some pesto for a sauce or dish you are making, you have individually portioned pesto cubes to add!
Is Basil Pesto Healthy?
Yes it is a fairly healthy sauce to add to your vegetables or grilled chicken! It’s loaded with fresh herbs and healthy fats from olive oil and nuts. Keep in mind, healthy is not the same as low fat but this basil pesto uses fresh ingredients, no add sugar or processed foods.
Herb Basil Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 cup firm packed basil
- 1 cup firm packed parsley, spinach or other herbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan or romano cheese
- ¼ cup pine nuts, walnuts or almonds
- 1 large garlic clove, quartered
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Place the herbs in a food processor. Pour in 1 tablespoon of the oil and blend into a paste.
- Gradually add the remaining ingredients in order scraping as needed. Blend until smooth.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
I have soooo much basil but no parsley. Can this be made using only basil?
It sure can!
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Summer is beautiful also because we make a great quantity of pesto from homemade basil and we freeze so we can have it any time we want :-) . Your pesto sounds so good, adding herbs enhances all the flavors!
Thank you Nicholetta!
Totally trying this! I love Basil and to have it as a pesto only makes sense!
Enjoy Nicole!
Pesto is my all time favorite. This looks so refreshing. Love the color and recipe.
Thank you! Enjoy!
Basil pesto is one of my absolute favorite pasta sauces/toppings. I actually had it last night and had to settle on jarred, but making homemade is the preferred. This looks amazing! Can’t wait to give it a try!
Thank you Kim! Can’t wait to hear how you like it!
My love of pesto came from my Italian parents. We had pesto — a lot. And yes it does enhance the flavor of many dishes. It doesn’t overwhelm — just pure flavor with pizzazz. You certainly give lots of great tips.
Thank you Marisa!!
Oh there’s nothing quite like fresh pesto! Once I learned to make it myself I literally was doing it every week! I’ve never added other herbs in there, but I like that idea.
Thanks Karyl, it’s a great way to enjoy garden herbs!!
Your pesto looks so good! Pesto is my go-to summer condiment since it goes so well with everything.
Your pesto recipe looks so refreshing and love the color!I bet this would even taste great with herb bread!
Yes it would Prasanna!
I’ve added dill to my pesto before but never added parsley. Sounds perfect. Next time I’m going to try this version. Would be perfect for a summer salad too.
It sure would. Enjoy Veena!
Your pesto looks so fresh and green! I’ve finally tried making it with herbs and vegetables beyond basil and it was a revelation. I can’t wait to try yours.
Enjoy Karen!
Fresh made pesto is my favorite way to eat a nice pasta! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome Analida, enjoy!
Wonderful pesto recipe. This would be great on pasta, potatoes and veggies, and even bread!
Yes, all of those Jenni! (Bread – yum!)