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–+ servings
Bowl of freshly made pesto with pine nuts sprinkled on top.
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4.80 from 5 votes

5 Ingredient Pesto

Try your hand at homemade pesto with just a few ingredients. The robust flavor will wow your most-favorite dishes!
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy homemade pesto, homemade pesto, pesto recipe
Servings: 8 (2 tablespoons per serving)
Calories: 177kcal
Author: Polly Conner

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts sub: walnuts
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a food processor, combine the basil, garlic, pine nuts, and cheese and pulse until coarsely chopped.
  • Add 1/2 cup of olive oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Video

Notes

  • Prep Time Note: The prep time in this recipe doesn't include the time it takes to harvest, rinse, and dry the basil, if you're harvesting your own. When you buy it from the store, this is already done for you. 
  • Harvesting Basil: Be sure to harvest basil leaves before the plant begins to flower. Once they get to this stage, the basil gets bitter. It's best to cut back your plant regularly (and make pesto regularly!).
  • Reader Tip: One reader mentioned that she toasts her pine nuts and roasts the garlic to add more flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 110mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.2g