This amazing Fresh Pesto sauce is bursting with flavor from fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, sautéed garlic, and fresh Parmesan Cheese. It takes just minutes to make, and I love to serve it with grilled chicken and fish.
This homemade pesto is so much better than store-bought and has considerably less salt. There are so many great dishes to serve it with. I often serve it with Zucchini Noodles, Air Fryer Salmon, or Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta.
Ingredient Notes with Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients on the recipe card below.
- Pine Nuts: Walnuts can be substituted for the pine nuts, or use a mixture of the two.
- Olive Oil: Use cold-pressed extra virgin.
- Herbs: Other herbs can be added, such as cilantro, parsley, kale, or mint.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
How to Make Pesto Sauce
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Toast the pine nuts.
- Add minced garlic and sauté, stirring constantly.
- Combine the fresh basil and toasted pine nuts in a food processor and pulse. Add the garlic and Parmesan cheese and pulse again.
- Drizzle in olive oil while the food processor is running slowly.
Preparation Tips
- Add a little pizzazz with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- You can use a mortar and a pestle, but it is so much easier with a food processor or a blender.
- Pesto has a short shelf life in the refrigerator, so freeze it in ice cube trays before adding the cheese. Once frozen, store in a freezer storage bag for up to 6 months. Remove as many cubes as you want and thaw in the fridge overnight. Then add the Parmesan cheese and use in your favorite recipes.
Uses for Pesto Sauce
- Pasta: penne, ziti, fettuccine, spaghetti, or angel hair pasta.
- Vegetables: roasted zucchini, roasted yellow squash, zoodles (zucchini noodles), cauliflower, or cauliflower gnocchi.
- Protein: grilled chicken, pork, seafood, steak, or classic meatloaf.
- Other goodies: cast iron skillet pizza, sandwiches, or French or Italian bread.
More Sauce Recipes
Fresh Pesto Recipe
A quick, easy Homemade Pesto Sauce made with five ingredients in less than ten minutes in a food processor. Enjoy it over pasta, chicken, steak, seafood, and grilled or roasted vegetables.
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Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 1475kcal
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese or Pecorino Romano
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the pine nuts. Toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Plate them to cool.
- Heat ½ tablespoon olive oil in the same skillet over medium-low heat. Cook garlic for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and cool.
- Combine the fresh basil and toasted pine nuts in a food processor and pulse for 10 seconds. Add the garlic and Parmesan cheese and pulse for 2-3 seconds.
- With the food processor running slowly, drizzle in the ½ cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 1475kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 155g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 28g | Monounsaturated Fat: 95g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 541mg | Potassium: 478mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2806IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 504mg | Iron: 5mg
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Ashley Thompson
Sounds incredible! I always buy jars of premade pesto at the grocery store, but I’m excited to try making my own at home 🙂
Amber Myers
I love pesto sauce. I will have to make this the next time we have pasta.
Mandee
I’ve never made fresh pesto, but you make it looks so easy! I’m drooling!
Maria
Homemade pesto is much more healthier than the ones bought outside. Will try this recipe!
Dannii
You can’t beat homemade fresh pesto. Perfect for stirring through hot spaghetti.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
Love all the ingredients, can’t wait to try this! It looks so delicious and easy!
Kathryn
This is my new go-to pesto recipe! It was perfect with our pasta and I will make more so I can keep it frozen and handy. Thank you for sharing such an awesome recipe!
Tavog
I love pesto! Always trying new variations, thanks for sharing.
Gina
The uses for pesto are unlimited! Great basic recipe and exactly what I need because my basil plant needs to be completely harvested from the season right now!
Sandra
I love it! A new staple sauce at my house!