Description
Bright, punchy, and unbelievably fresh, this Easiest Basil Pesto Sauce is the quick win that makes any meal feel special. In minutes you get a silky, herb-packed sauce that tastes like summer—perfect for quick breakfast toast, easy dinner pasta, healthy snack wraps, and everyday food ideas. This easy recipe works for pasta, chicken, fish, roasted veggies, sandwiches, and bowls. If you love simple Italian-inspired dinner ideas and fast homemade sauces, keep this basil pesto on repeat.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
2 cloves garlic
1/3 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/8 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
Instructions
1. Dry the basil really well after washing (water can make pesto dull and thin).
2. Add basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan to a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
3. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until it turns into a spoonable sauce.
4. Add salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
5. If using, pulse in lemon juice for a fresher, brighter finish.
Notes
For the brightest green pesto, keep ingredients cool and store with a thin olive oil layer on top to reduce browning.
Want it nut-free? Swap pine nuts for toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a similar creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauces & Condiments
- Method: Food Processor / Blender
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
Keywords: basil pesto, pesto sauce, easy pesto, homemade pesto, quick sauce, italian sauce, pasta sauce, dinner ideas, easy recipe, food ideas