How to Make Basil Pesto

5 from 2 votes

Follow this easy guide on how to make basil pesto for afresh, herby, and delicious sauce that will brighten just about any dish you add it to!

Course Sauce

Cuisine Italian

Keyword basil pesto recipe, how to make basil pesto

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 0

Total Time 5

Servings 6

Author Rihana

Ingredients

2 ½ cups basil leaves (no stems) gently packed
½ cup pine nuts
2 cloves garlic
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Put the basil, pine nuts, salt, pepper, and garlic into a food processor. Blend until finely chopped.
Slowly add the olive oil through the opening on the lid while the food processor is running and continue blending until the oil is incorporated into the sauce.
Next, add the parmesan cheese and blend until just combined.
Transfer the pesto sauce into a jar or container with an airtight lid.

Notes

How do I store pesto?

Add a layer of olive oil on top of the sauce in the jar to create a barrier between the air and the sauce to help preserve it longer and to maintain its color.

Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

You can also freeze the pesto and thaw it whenever you get a hankering for some pesto. Simply fill an ice cube tray with the sauce, freeze it, then transfer the cubes to a ziplock bag. The pesto will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.