Every kitchen should have a favorite go-to basil pesto recipe. Pesto is definitely a sauce I prefer to make from scratch instead of using a preservative-laden option from the store. This pesto recipe takes just 5 minutes from start to finish. Not too shabby for a sauce with a plethora of uses and flavors.
Take my word for it. This pesto recipe rocks.
Oh, you may be wondering what the lemon juice is for. Basil turns dark quickly, so the lemon juice helps keep the pesto green longer. It’s not necessary for the recipe, so skip it if you prefer.
Use it to make Pesto Chicken or Grilled Pizza.

Ingredients
- 1 cup Basil
- ⅔ cup Parmesan Cheese
- ⅓ cup Pine Nuts
- ¼ - ½ cup High-quality Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Parsley
- 2-3 Garlic Cloves to Taste
- ½ tsp Kosher Salt
- ¼ tsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Start with 1/4 cup olive oil and add up to an extra 1/4 cup, depending on your taste preference.
Nutrition
This Pesto Recipe Pairs Well With:
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Susan
Tuesday 16th of June 2015
Perfect!!! I have the fresh basil and every other ingredient to make this. A must do this week thanks.