Homemade Pesto Sauce
Homemade Pesto Sauce
This fresh Homemade Pesto Sauce is an absolute must-have condiment! Bursting with aromatic basil, buttery walnuts, fresh garlic, earthy olive oil, and parmesan cheese for a delicious umami flavor! Elevate your pasta, salads, roasted veggies, and more with this effortless 5-minute easy pesto recipe! Totally Gluten-free. Nut-free + Dairy-free option.
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It's no secret that I LOVE adding pesto to dishes; if you've been a follower of Orchids + Sweet Tea for a while you've probably noticed I have never had a pesto recipe on here UNTIL NOW! The wait is over! Introducing my 5-Minute Easy Pesto recipe, a true game-changer. With endless possibilities, this pesto is your go-to for sauces, soups, salads, roasted vegetables, pasta, pizza, on top of tacos and beyond. Prepare to elevate your culinary creations to new heights with this quick and flavorful delight. No more searching for the perfect pesto recipe – it's here, and it's here to stay! Plus, this Jalapeno Ranch Sauce is so delish!
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Why Homemade Pesto Sauce?
This Homemade Pesto sauce is super easy to make, only uses a few staple ingredients, and is super fresh + full of herby flavor. Plus, it comes with a nut-free + dairy-free option. Not only is this amazing pesto recipe going to amp up your meals it's also a delicious and herbaceous dip to enjoy with sides like these Crispiest Jumbo Garlic Herb Fries or Crispy Oven Fried Chicken. Y'all I'm literally dipping everything in this pesto at the moment.
And if you're into soup and gnocchi, then try this amazing combo from my Creamy Lemon Pesto Gnocchi with Broccoli! It's the perfect thing to try ASAP!
What Is Pesto?
Ah, pesto sauce! The culinary superstar from Italy. It's a fusion of fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, creating a symphony of flavors. I've used walnuts instead of pinenuts for my take on it. Get ready to savor the essence of Italy in every bite!
Pesto Origins
Pesto, the iconic sauce we adore, hails from Italy's Liguria region. Its origins are traced back to either the ancient garlic-based "aggiadda" or the Middle Ages' herb-infused traditions.
The earliest written pesto recipe can be found in Giovanni Battista Ratto's 19th-century work, "The Genoese cuisine." So my pesto recipe definitely still celebrates the abundant basil and tantalizing flavors that make pesto truly remarkable!
How To Make Homemade Pesto Sauce
Prepare to whip up this easy pesto recipe in a breeze, using just 5 minutes, 1 bowl, and 7 simple ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh basil leaves. The key ingredient.
Chopped walnuts. Adds texture and a delicious nutty element.
Olive Oil. Use extra virgin olive oil for a rich flavor.
Lemon juice. Adds a tangy flavor + helps keep it fresher fro longer.
Garlic. The savory strong taste we all love.
Salt + Pepper.
Parmesan cheese. Strong umami pungent flavor. Sub for dairy-free parmesan or nutritional yeast if you're making a vegan version!
TO MAKE THE PESTO SAUCE:
- Add all ingredients into a food processor or blender and process (or blend) until combined and broken down. NOTE: If needed, add a bit of water (1 Tbsp), if too thick. The pesto should be 'paste-like' in consistency.
- Serve in your favorite dish or sauce. Enjoy!
Bon Appetit!
Why You'll Love This Homemade Pesto Sauce
- Bursting with Freshness
- Versatile + Customizable
- Quick and Easy
- Downright DELICIOUS
- A perfect flavor melody
- Elevates all dishes!!
Options to Pair This Homemade Pesto Sauce With?
Roasted Vegetables: This pesto dressing is also a great sauce to drizzle over roasted vegetables, making them even more delicious.
Salads: Of course, the most obvious pairing is with salads! I love pairing it with this Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
Grain/Buddha Bowls: If you're a fan of Buddha bowls, then this easy pesto sauce is a must-try! It pairs well with grains like quinoa, rice, farro, or bulgur.
Sandwiches and Wraps: Pair it with this Broccoli Pesto Grilled Cheese!
Soups: Drizzle on top of your favorite soups for an extra pop of flavor.
Pasta + Gnocchi: Use as a sauce for pesto pasta or enjoy with gnocchi like this Broccoli Pesto Gnocchi + Chickpeas
Pizza: Use this simple pesto sauce as a pizza sauce instead of traditional tomato sauce. Trust me, it's delicious.
Tacos: It can also be used as a sauce for tacos. It pairs well with vegetarian options like my Easy Vegan Black Bean Tacos and meat-based options like chicken or shrimp.
Veggie Burgers: A dollop on top of a veggie burger takes it to the next level! It adds a creamy and tangy flavor that complements the veggie patty well.
Homemade Pesto Sauce Q + A's
Store leftover pesto in jars or airtight containers in the refrigerator for about a week. Once the top starts to darken or go brown it's time to make a new batch.
Absolutely! Another way to store pesto is in the freezer, it will last for about six months
Yup! In fact, Pesto can benefit from some time in the fridge to allow the flavors to meld together. You can make it up to a day ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you're ready to use it. Just give it a good stir before serving.
Absolutely! You can easily adjust the amount of garlic or lemon juice to your personal taste preferences. Just add more or less until you achieve your desired flavor.
Traditionally, pesto contains nuts. However, you can substitute the walnuts or pine nuts in this recipe with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version.
Yes! Just use a dairy-free parmesan or nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
More Flavorful Basil Recipes
- Vegan Pesto Egg Avocado Toast
- Strawberry Basil Pineapple Mocktail
- Chickpea + Veggie Gluten-Free Pesto Pizza
- Pesto Pasta Bake
Made Our Recipe(s)?
If you tried this Homemade Pesto Sauce or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.
Homemade Pesto Sauce
Ingredients
PESTO SAUCE:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup Extra virgin olive oil (See Notes!)
- 1 teaspoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
TO MAKE THE PESTO SAUCE:
- Add all ingredients into a food processor or blender and process (or blend) until combined and broken down. NOTE: If needed, add a bit of water (1 Tbsp), if too thick. The pesto should be 'paste-like' in consistency.
- Serve in your favorite dish or sauce. Enjoy!
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Store leftover pesto in jars or airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week. Another way to store pesto is in the freezer (for about 6 months).
- OILS: Instead of using Extra Virgin Olive Oil, you can substitute with Grapeseed Oil, Avocado Oil, or Coconut Oil.
- NUT-FREE OPTION: Traditionally, pesto contains nuts. However, you can substitute the walnuts or pine nuts in this recipe with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version.
Nutrition
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