Basic Basil Pesto

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Basic Basil Pesto is kind of a misleading name because although this is a simple and classic Pesto recipe, it is anything but basic! There are so many different variations, but this is my very favorite Basil Pesto go-to recipe. It is simple, flavorful and versatile. Three of the very best recipes' greatest features!

Ingredients

Basil

The Star of the show! You can purchase 2 Cup pre-packed Fresh Basil leaves in most grocery stores. You can also find live, hydroponic basil in the produce section which will be as fresh as you can get unless you have your own Basil growing in your garden like my friend Abby at @wagardenjournal, which is even better!

Garlic

You will need two big fat cloves of garlic for this recipe. But you know, as with anything in cooking, if you like it even more garlicky, feel free to add more! I would recommend starting with 2 cloves first, because like salt, you can always add more, but you'll have a heck of a time making it less garlicky if you go too crazy!

Olive Oil

You will want a nice Olive Oil for this. Even though it is oil, it still has a flavor, and it can taste stale or bitter if it is not fresh.

Parmesan Cheese

This is another place you won't want to cheap out. Not that you need to spend a lot of money on an expensive piece of parmesan. All I am saying is don't use the tall green can, if ya know what I mean. Get a little block from the (nice) cheese section in your grocery store and grate it yourself. Like the oil, this will make a big difference.

Pine Nuts

Ok, I know Pine Nuts can be spendy. I saw the price on a bag at Costco the other day and about choked on my ravioli sample! ???? Don't worry, this recipe does not call for a lot of pine nuts, just ¼ cup. The best way to purchase these, if you think you will only use them for this recipe, is by buying a small amount in the bulk section of your grocery store. If you don't have a bulk section, you can find a tiny bag in the section with the baking supplies. It will be with the other baking nuts. Buying a small amount won't break the bank, and keep in mind you can freeze any Pine Nuts that you don't use. This is what I do to make sure they stay fresh!

How to Make Basil Pesto

For the amount of flavor and options you have with Pesto, it really is a huge bang-for-your-buck type of recipe! It takes very little effort. If you have a food processor, Vitamix, Immersion Blender, or even a mortar and pestle, you can make this! Simply combine the Basil, Garlic and Pine Nuts and process, blend, or grind them all together until you have a thick paste. Then, slowly drizzle the Olive Oil in while your machine is running. Once it is all incorporated, you can add the cheese and blend for a couple of seconds to incorporate it, or simply mix it in by hand. Add a little Salt and Pepper to Taste and that is it!

The best thing is, it gets even better as it sits! To store it, cover and seal it with a snap lock lid, or plastic wrap and keep in the fridge. You can also put it in an ice cube tray and freeze and then bring it out, a cube at a time, as needed!

How to Use Basil Pesto

The ways to use this Pesto are endless!! You can use it in all the traditional ways such as a sauce for a pizza, pasta, or a fresh and delicious Caprese Salad. Or, if you are feeling creative, you can make something like these sweet little Ladybug Crostini!

I hope you enjoy making this pesto! If you do make it, I would love to hear from you in the comments below. How did you use it? Thank you and thank you for visiting Mollie in Montana~*! ♥️

📖 Recipe