Name: Fresh Basil Pesto Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed (no stems); 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/3 cup pine nuts (or walnuts for a deeper flavor); 2 cloves garlic, peeled; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated; Juice of half a lemon (to brighten the labyrinth of flavors); 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste; 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper

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Bright, garlicky, and bursting with fresh basil flavor, this classic pesto sauce is your go-to for pasta, sandwiches, grilled meats, and more—ready in minutes!

Fresh Basil Pesto Sauce

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Fresh Basil Pesto is a timeless, no-cook Italian sauce that’s vibrant, aromatic, and incredibly versatile. Made with garden-fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, it blends into a smooth, herbaceous sauce that instantly elevates any dish. Whether you’re tossing it with hot pasta, spreading it on a sandwich, or spooning it over grilled vegetables or proteins, this pesto brings fresh, bold flavor to the table in just a few simple steps. Once you make it from scratch, you’ll never want store-bought again.

Author: Kari Jean - Joyista Life
Prep Time: 10
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 cup pesto 1x
Category: Sauces
Method: No cook
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed (no stems)

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup pine nuts (or walnuts for a deeper flavor)

2 cloves garlic, peeled

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated

Juice of half a lemon (to brighten the labyrinth of flavors)

1/2 tsp salt, or to taste

1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper

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Instructions

In a small dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
In a food processor, add toasted pine nuts and garlic. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
Add basil, Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse several times until well combined.
With the processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the pesto is smooth and emulsified. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

Notes

🔥 Quick Tip: Toast Your Pine Nuts

Place the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat and toast for about 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently until they’re golden and fragrant. Watch closely — they can burn quickly!

You can absolutely keep them raw if you prefer a more delicate, buttery flavor, but toasting adds a warm, toasty complexity that elevates the sauce.

Tips to Reimagine Your Pesto

For a more enigmatic twist, try adding a handful of arugula or mint.
Swap out the nuts—almonds or pistachios create a reimagined earthy undertone.
Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt for creaminess that orchestrates a silkier sauce.

Delicious Ways to Use Pesto Sauce

Pesto Pasta Salad – Toss pesto with cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and olives for a vibrant cold salad.
Grilled Chicken Pesto Bowls – Drizzle over grilled chicken, quinoa or rice, and roasted veggies.
Pesto Flatbread or Pizza – Use as the base sauce for flatbreads topped with fresh tomatoes and goat cheese.
Pesto Veggie Wraps – Spread on a tortilla and layer with grilled vegetables and hummus for a quick wrap.
Pesto Eggs – Spoon into a skillet before cracking in eggs for a flavorful breakfast twist.
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms – Mix pesto with breadcrumbs and stuff into mushroom caps, then bake.
Caprese Stack with Pesto Drizzle – Stack tomato slices, fresh mozzarella, and basil, topped with a generous swirl of pesto.
Pesto Grilled Cheese – Add to your sandwich with provolone and tomato for a grown-up grilled cheese.
Zucchini Noodles with Pesto – A low-carb option with spiralized zucchini and sautéed cherry tomatoes.
Pesto Shrimp Skewers – Marinate shrimp in pesto and grill or broil for a quick appetizer or main dish. Click here for my Pesto Shrimp Skewer Recipe.
Pesto Pepper Steak – Pesto Pepper Steak is a bold, herb-infused noodle dish with tender sirloin strips, sweet peppers, onions, and a kick of garlic and red pepper flakes. Click here for my Pesto Pepper Steak Recipe.

💙 Tried this recipe?
Leave a comment below telling me how you used your pesto! Pasta? Pizza? Something creative? I’d love to hear!

Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on standard ingredients and serving sizes. Actual values may vary depending on specific products used and portion sizes. This information is provided for convenience and should not be considered medical or dietary advice.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tbsp
Calories: 190
Fat: 19
Carbohydrates: 2
Protein: 2