Best 8 Basic Pesto Sauce Recipes
Pesto is a vibrant and flavorful sauce originating from the Liguria region of Italy. It typically consists of fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and salt. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for various dishes, including pasta, pizza, grilled meats, and vegetables. This article provides three distinct pesto recipes that cater to different dietary preferences and tastes.
The first recipe presents a classic pesto sauce made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It offers a well-balanced and aromatic flavor profile that pairs well with a variety of dishes.
The second recipe is a vegan pesto sauce that omits cheese and uses walnuts instead of pine nuts. It's an excellent option for individuals with dairy allergies or those seeking a plant-based alternative. This pesto retains the vibrant green color and nutty flavor of the classic pesto while offering a unique twist.
The final recipe introduces a roasted red pepper pesto that adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to the traditional pesto. Roasted red peppers add a delightful dimension of taste, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a bit of spice.
These three pesto recipes provide a range of options to suit different preferences and dietary restrictions. Whether you're a traditionalist, a vegan, or a lover of bold flavors, you'll find a pesto recipe in this article that will tantalize your taste buds and elevate your culinary creations.
PESTO
Basic pesto, made with basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. This recipe differs from the classic preparation by the addition of parsley. You can add a little extra Parmesan to the mixture if you like.
Provided by ANDERVAL
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes
Time 5m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and nuts in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Blend to a smooth paste. Add parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 91.5 calories, Carbohydrate 1 g, Cholesterol 3.3 mg, Fat 9 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 2.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 59.1 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
PESTO SAUCE
Quick and easy pesto to top your pasta. A great change from red sauce.
Provided by sal
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a food processor, blend together basil leaves, nuts, garlic, and cheese. Pour in oil slowly while still mixing. Stir in salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 199.4 calories, Carbohydrate 2 g, Cholesterol 1.1 mg, Fat 21.1 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 2.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 20 mg, Sugar 0.3 g
PESTO SAUCE
I like to serve this pesto over butter gnocchi with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Gnocchi are light little potato dumplings, which are available in Italian grocery stores and cook up in mere minutes. The pesto is also delicious tossed with penne pasta or in one of these recipes using pesto. -Sue Jurack, Mequon, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 15m
Yield 1/2 cup.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place the first five ingredients in a small food processor; pulse until chopped. Continue processing while gradually adding oil in a steady stream. Add cheese; pulse just until blended. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 217 calories, Fat 22g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 420mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
BASIL PESTO
Keep this basic Basil Pesto recipe from Food Network Kitchen in your arsenal and use it for topping pasta, fish, chicken, pizza and more.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 5m
Yield 1 cup
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.
- If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese.
BASIC PESTO
Traditionally pesto is made in a mortar and pestle and it takes both time and force to pound nuts, garlic, basil and oil into a creamy emulsified sauce. The food processor has certainly shortened the process, but it's still important to slowly stream in the oil to create a smooth, vibrant sauce. Stirring in the Parmesan cheese at the end will thicken the pesto a bit and add extra seasoning.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 10m
Yield about 2 cups of pesto
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor or blender until the basil is finely chopped.
- With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil and puree until emulsified. Stir in the Parmesan. To store, transfer to a container, cover and refrigerate up to 5 days.
BASIC PESTO
Pesto is a mouthful of bright summer - basil made more so. You can buy it in a jar or in the refrigerator section of your grocery story, but there is nothing better than making it yourself. Fresh basil can be found in abundance at farmers' markets in the summer. Just clean, take the stems off and throw the leaves in a food processor with nuts and garlic. Dribble in the oil and you've got a versatile sauce for pasta, chicken or fish.
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories easy, quick, condiments, editors' pick
Time 15m
Yield 2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Combine basil leaves, pine nuts or walnuts and garlic in a food processor and process until very finely minced.
- With the machine running slowly dribble in the oil and process until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the cheese and process very briefly, just long enough to combine. Store in refrigerator or freezer.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 82, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 49 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams
QUICK & SIMPLE PESTO (CLASSIC PESTO RECIPE) SAUCE
This is a pretty easy recipe for a classic pesto sauce. It can be served with pasta for "Pasta & Pesto" or spread on toasted Italian bread or on sandwiches and salads... You can blend it into bread or muffin mix. You can make Pesto Pizza. You can even add heavy cream if you desire a "creamy pesto sauce". The key is to use only FRESH BASIL. Note: Pine nuts are AKA Pignoli Nuts
Provided by BlondieItaliana
Categories Spreads
Time 10m
Yield 1 1/4 cups
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor & cover.
- Blend on medium speed about 3 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape sides, until smooth.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1628.5, Fat 166.2, SaturatedFat 29.7, Cholesterol 52.8, Sodium 927.3, Carbohydrate 12, Fiber 3.4, Sugar 2, Protein 31.6
EASY PESTO
This is the easiest pesto recipe, using easy to find ingredients. It can be prepared in 2 minutes after you toast the almonds.
Provided by Rebecca Jane Thompson
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes Vegetarian
Time 12m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place almonds on a cookie sheet, and bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
- In a food processor, combine toasted almonds, garlic, basil, olive oil, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Process until a coarse paste is formed.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 198.8 calories, Carbohydrate 2 g, Fat 21.1 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 388.7 mg, Sugar 0.4 g
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your pesto sauce.
- Don't over-process the sauce. A few pulses in a food processor or blender is all you need to combine the ingredients. Over-processing can make the sauce bitter.
- Taste the sauce as you go and adjust the seasonings accordingly. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your taste.
- Use pesto sauce within a few days of making it. It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Conclusion:
Pesto sauce is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta to pizza to grilled chicken. It's also a great way to add flavor and nutrients to your meals. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious and healthy pesto sauce at home. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy way to add flavor to your food, give pesto sauce a try!
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