Best 20 Pesto Recipes

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In the culinary world, pesto stands out as a vibrant and versatile sauce, originating from the beautiful region of Liguria, Italy. This savory condiment is characterized by its vibrant green hue and aromatic blend of fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Beyond its traditional form, pesto has evolved into a culinary chameleon, inspiring a myriad of variations that cater to diverse preferences and dietary restrictions. This article offers an enticing collection of pesto recipes, each with its unique twist. From the classic Genovese pesto, bursting with the flavors of basil, to the creamy sun-dried tomato pesto, adding a tangy twist to your favorite dishes, and the vibrant arugula pesto, offering a peppery kick, this article provides a culinary journey through the world of pesto. Whether you seek a traditional taste or a contemporary twist, this curated selection of recipes promises to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your culinary creations.

Here are our top 20 tried and tested recipes!

BASIL PESTO



Basil Pesto image

Basil pesto is extremely versatile! It enhances the flavor for all dishes like steak, chicken, fish, vegetables, and pasta! After the ingredients are combined and formed into a tube shape, simply slice whatever size portion you need and freeze the rest! Easy-breezy to prepare and bursting with flavor!

Provided by Bwoogie1

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 cup olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
⅔ cup pine nuts
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Combine basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and olive oil in a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add garlic, pine nuts, salt, and pepper. Pulse until mixture becomes smooth and blended.
  • Pour mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap; roll into a tube shape and seal. Store in the refrigerator until needed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 177.1 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Cholesterol 4.4 mg, Fat 17.9 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 3.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 87.2 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

PESTO



Pesto image

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

3 cups packed fresh basil leaves
4 cloves garlic
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup pine nuts
½ cup chopped fresh parsley

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

ONE-PAN GARLIC CHICKEN PESTO PASTA RECIPE BY TASTY



One-Pan Garlic Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: canola oil, chicken breasts, garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, pesto, penne pasta, cherry tomato, parmesan cheese, fresh basil

Provided by Tasty

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon canola oil
2 chicken breasts, sliced into 1/2 inch (2cm) strips
2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
½ tablespoon kosher salt
½ tablespoon black pepper, freshly ground
¾ cup heavy cream
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
¼ cup pesto
3 cups penne pasta, cooked and drained
¾ cup cherry tomato, halved
parmesan cheese, to garnish
fresh basil, chopped, to garnish

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a pan over high heat. Combine the chicken, garlic, salt, and pepper, cooking until chicken is browned.
  • Then, mix in the heavy cream, parmesan, and pesto, stirring until evenly combined.
  • Next, bring to a boil and cook until the sauce has reduced, about five to seven minutes.
  • Toss in the pasta and cherry tomatoes, stirring until evenly coated. Remove from heat.
  • To serve, sprinkle parmesan cheese and basil on top!
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 892 calories, Carbohydrate 99 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 47 grams, Sugar 6 grams

PESTO PASTA WITH SHRIMP



Pesto Pasta with Shrimp image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • Pulse 3 cups fresh basil, 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts and 1 garlic clove in a food processor. Pulse in 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt and 2 tablespoons each grated Parmesan and olive oil until smooth. Cook 12 ounces bucatini; reserve 1/2 cup cooking water. Toss the pasta with the pesto, 1 pound steamed chopped asparagus, 8 ounces sauteed shrimp and the reserved cooking water. Top with toasted breadcrumbs.

FABULOUS CILANTRO PESTO



Fabulous Cilantro Pesto image

This is a delicious version of the classic with a little more zip! You can substitute the vinegar with lime juice, lemon juice or Italian salad dressing.

Provided by Gena Urias

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package farfalle pasta
1 bunch fresh cilantro
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ cup walnuts or pecans
salt to taste
½ cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and return water to a boil. Cook pasta for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain well.
  • In an electric food processor or blender, blend cilantro, garlic, vinegar, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, nuts, and salt. Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil, and blend the pesto. Add more olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
  • Pour pesto in a small saucepan and warm over low heat, stirring constantly, until pesto begins to simmer. Pour over cooked pasta and toss.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 386.1 calories, Carbohydrate 42.8 g, Cholesterol 2.8 mg, Fat 20.5 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 10.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 54.8 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

CREAMY PESTO SHRIMP



Creamy Pesto Shrimp image

One of our family's favorites, it's also great when made with crab meat instead of the shrimp.

Provided by Loretta Buffa

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pound linguine pasta
½ cup butter
2 cups heavy cream
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
⅓ cup pesto
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in cream, and season with pepper. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Stir Parmesan cheese into cream sauce, stirring until thoroughly mixed. Blend in the pesto, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until thickened.
  • Stir in the shrimp, and cook until they turn pink, about 5 minutes. Serve over the hot linguine.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 646 calories, Carbohydrate 43 g, Cholesterol 210.4 mg, Fat 42.5 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 23.1 g, SaturatedFat 24.3 g, Sodium 437.2 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

PESTO



Pesto image

Get Ina Garten's easy Pesto recipe, featuring walnuts, pine nuts and basil, from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network. It's perfect with pasta or in sandwiches.

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 15m

Yield 4 cups

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 cup pignolis (pine nuts)
3 tablespoons chopped garlic (9 cloves)
5 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups good olive oil
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Place the walnuts, pignolis, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 15 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Use right away or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO



Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto image

The best sun-dried tomato pesto.

Provided by MRS. CINDY SCHMIDT

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Vegetarian

Time 20m

Yield 40

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
¼ cup chopped pine nuts
3 tablespoons chopped onion
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
⅓ cup crushed tomatoes
¼ cup red wine
½ cup olive oil
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt to taste

Steps:

  • Place sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl and cover with warm water for 5 minutes, or until tender.
  • In a food processor or blender combine sun-dried tomatoes, basil, parsley, garlic, pine nuts and onion; process until well blended. Add vinegar, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes and red wine, and process. Stir in olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt to taste.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 44.1 calories, Carbohydrate 2.4 g, Cholesterol 0.9 mg, Fat 3.5 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 80.5 mg, Sugar 1.4 g

PESTO PASTA



Pesto Pasta image

Easy to make, but full of flavor! Good hot or cold.

Provided by Lauren

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

½ cup chopped onion
2 ½ tablespoons pesto
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 (16 ounce) package pasta
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until done. Drain.
  • Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium low heat. Add pesto, onion, and salt and pepper. Cook about five minutes, or until onions are soft.
  • In a large bowl, mix pesto mixture into pasta. Stir in grated cheese. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 224.7 calories, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 43.5 mg, Fat 7.2 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 7.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 71.3 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

PASTA, PESTO, AND PEAS



Pasta, Pesto, and Peas image

Blend fresh basil pesto at home for Ina Garten's Pasta, Pesto and Peas recipe from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network, and have a vibrant springtime meal.

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     main-dish

Time 32m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

3/4 pound fusilli pasta
3/4 pound bow tie pasta
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 1/2 cups pesto (packaged or see recipe below)
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/4 cups good mayonnaise
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 1/2 cups frozen peas, defrosted
1/3 cup pignoli (pine nuts)
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 cup pignoli (pine nuts)
3 tablespoons chopped garlic (9 cloves)
5 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups good olive oil
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Cook the fusilli and bow ties separately in a large pot of boiling salted water for 10 to 12 minutes until each pasta is al dente. Drain and toss into a bowl with the olive oil. Cool to room temperature.
  • In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, puree the pesto, spinach, and lemon juice. Add the mayonnaise and puree. Add the pesto mixture to the cooled pasta and then add the Parmesan, peas, pignoli, salt, and pepper. Mix well, season to taste, and serve at room temperature.
  • Place the walnuts, pignoli, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 15 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Use right away or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.
  • Notes: Air is the enemy of pesto. For freezing, pack it in containers with a film of oil or plastic wrap directly on top with the air pressed out.
  • To clean basil, remove the leaves, swirl them in a bowl of water, and then spin them very dry in a salad spinner. Store them in a closed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel. As long as the leaves are dry they will stay green for several days.

PESTO SHRIMP PASTA



Pesto Shrimp Pasta image

This is a great dish for company!

Provided by averynmartin

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (8 ounce) package spaghetti
1 cup fresh basil leaves
¼ cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, or to taste
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 (8 ounce) package sugar snap peas
¾ pound peeled and deveined shrimp
⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain.
  • Blend basil, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, and salt in a blender until smooth.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir sugar snap peas in hot oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Add shrimp and red pepper; continue to cook until the shrimp are bright pink on the outside and the meat is no longer transparent in the center, about 5 minutes. Stir basil sauce into the shrimp mixture and remove from heat; spoon over spaghetti to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 279.2 calories, Carbohydrate 32.3 g, Cholesterol 86.1 mg, Fat 9.4 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 15.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 295.6 mg, Sugar 1.3 g

PESTO SHRIMP PASTA



Pesto Shrimp Pasta image

A dash of red pepper puts zip in this lively main dish from Gloria Jones Grenga of Newnan, Georgia.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
3/4 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a blender, combine 1 tablespoon oil, basil, lemon juice, garlic and salt; cover and process until smooth. , In a large skillet, saute asparagus in remaining oil until crisp-tender. Add shrimp and pepper flakes. Cook and stir until shrimp turn pink. , Drain spaghetti; place in a large bowl. Add basil mixture; toss to coat. Add shrimp mixture and mix well.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 393 calories, Fat 12g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 103mg cholesterol, Sodium 406mg sodium, Carbohydrate 47g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

PESTO PIZZA



Pesto Pizza image

A great alternative to your regular pizza.

Provided by SKWms

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (12 inch) pre-baked pizza crust
½ cup pesto
1 ripe tomato, chopped
½ cup green bell pepper, chopped
1 (2 ounce) can chopped black olives, drained
½ small red onion, chopped
1 (4 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and sliced
1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
  • Spread pesto on pizza crust. Top with tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, red onions, artichoke hearts and feta cheese.
  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 393.7 calories, Carbohydrate 39.3 g, Cholesterol 35.6 mg, Fat 19.9 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 17.3 g, SaturatedFat 7.8 g, Sodium 936.8 mg, Sugar 3.7 g

PESTO PASTA WITH CHICKEN AND TOMATOES



Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Tomatoes image

Pesto is easy to make from scratch with just a handful of ingredients. Its fresh flavor is the highlight of this super-fast pasta dish, packed with cherry tomatoes and chicken.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
12 oz uncooked penne pasta (3 1/2 cups) (from 16-oz package)
3 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup julienned fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In blender or food processor, place Pesto ingredients.
  • Cover and process on medium speed about 3 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides with rubber spatula, until smooth. Set aside.
  • In 4-quart saucepan, heat penne and broth just to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until al dente and liquid is almost absorbed. Remove from heat. Add pesto; stir in chicken and tomatoes; cook over medium 2 to 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
  • Garnish with basil and 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480, Carbohydrate 52 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 2, Fiber 4 g, Protein 27 g, SaturatedFat 4 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 740 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 0 g

GRILLED PESTO-MARINATED CHICKEN



Grilled Pesto-Marinated Chicken image

This moist and flavorful chicken is as easy as it is satisfying! Perfect with a green salad, rice, or pasta.

Provided by SunnyDaysNora

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Time 8h20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (6 ounce) jar prepared pesto (such as Barilla® Rustic Basil Pesto)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 ounces lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
4 chicken breast halves

Steps:

  • Mix together pesto, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, pepper, and salt in a 1-gallon resealable freezer bag. Add chicken, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours to overnight.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
  • Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
  • Cook chicken on the preheated grill over indirect heat until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 6 to 8 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 381.2 calories, Carbohydrate 5.5 g, Cholesterol 83.7 mg, Fat 25 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 33.9 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 772.6 mg, Sugar 0.6 g

EASY WALNUT BASIL PESTO



Easy Walnut Basil Pesto image

Simple walnut pesto you can make in your food processor.

Provided by Jasa

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

¼ cup walnuts
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups packed fresh basil
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Pulse walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic in a food processor until walnuts are finely chopped. Add basil leaves a little at a time, pulsing until a smooth paste forms. Mix in Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 102.9 calories, Carbohydrate 1.4 g, Cholesterol 2.2 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 1.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 38.9 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

SPINACH PESTO



Spinach Pesto image

Serve this vibrant pesto on pasta, pizza, sandwiches and more. If you don't have fresh oregano on hand, you can omit it. -Susan Westerfield, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 15m

Yield 2 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups fresh baby spinach
2 cups loosely packed basil leaves
1 cup grated Romano cheese
2 tablespoons fresh oregano
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 cup olive oil
Hot cooked pasta

Steps:

  • Place the first 6 ingredients in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add the walnuts, lemon juice and zest; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream., Serve desired amount of pesto with pasta. Transfer remaining pesto to ice cube trays. Cover and freeze up to 1 month., To use frozen pesto: Thaw in the refrigerator for 3 hours. Serve with pasta.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 177 calories, Fat 18g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 205mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

SPINACH BASIL PESTO



Spinach Basil Pesto image

This sauce is perfect for freezing in an ice cube tray. I just pop out a couple of cubes from the freezer and add to a pasta dish for a quick and easy meal. The Parmesan cheese can be omitted and added after thawing. Pour any pesto you aren't using immediately into an ice cube tray, cover with plastic wrap, and store in freezer.

Provided by Dianne

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 ½ cups baby spinach leaves
¾ cup fresh basil leaves
½ cup toasted pine nuts
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 cloves garlic, peeled and quartered
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon lemon zest
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Blend the spinach, basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a food processor until nearly smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula as necessary. Drizzle the remaining olive oil into the mixture while processing until smooth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 67 calories, Carbohydrate 0.8 g, Cholesterol 1.5 mg, Fat 6.6 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 1.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 87.2 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

FRESH BASIL PESTO



Fresh Basil Pesto image

A great recipe for fresh basil pesto with just the right amounts of everything. Even my DH loves it!

Provided by Klantz

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups packed fresh basil
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 dash fresh lemon juice
½ cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Combine basil, oil, pine nuts, garlic, and lemon juice in a food processor or blender; puree until smooth. Stir in Pecorino Romano cheese, salt, and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 244.1 calories, Carbohydrate 2.1 g, Cholesterol 10.3 mg, Fat 24.3 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 186.7 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

PESTO CREAM SAUCE



Pesto Cream Sauce image

Serve this delicious sauce over your favorite pasta for a quick, delectable meal. Do NOT substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream if you want a thick sauce. Heavy cream contains at least 36% milkfat. Half-and-half, just like the name says, is half milk and half cream and is no more than 18% milkfat. If half-and-half is used, the sauce will only be half as thick as it would if heavy cream were used. Also, if the amount of butter is reduced, that will also make the sauce thinner, as butter is 80% milkfat.

Provided by mailbelle

Categories     Sauces

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup prepared pesto sauce
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Steps:

  • Heat heavy whipping cream and water in a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
  • Add butter, pesto sauce, garlic powder and salt. Reduce heat and continue to cook about 5 more minutes over low heat.
  • Stir in 1/2 cup parmesan cheese until melted.

Tips:

  • Use fresh basil. Fresh basil has the best flavor and aroma, so it's worth the extra cost.
  • Don't over-process the pesto. A few pulses in a food processor or blender is all you need to combine the ingredients. Over-processing will make the pesto bitter.
  • Taste the pesto before serving. Adjust the seasonings to your liking, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
  • Use pesto as a marinade. Pesto is a great way to add flavor to chicken, fish, or vegetables. Simply brush the pesto on the food and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Use pesto as a spread. Pesto is a delicious spread for sandwiches, wraps, and crackers. It's also a great way to add flavor to pizzas and grilled vegetables.
  • Use pesto as a sauce. Pesto can be used as a sauce for pasta, rice, or vegetables. It's also a great way to add flavor to soups and stews.

Conclusion:

Pesto is a versatile and delicious sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. So next time you're looking for a way to add flavor to your food, reach for a jar of pesto.

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