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Fresh Basil Pesto


I have been seeing a few pesto recipes being posted here and there, and no wonder- this is the time of year for fresh basil everything. My pesto has a little less oil and cheese than some recipes I have seen; I think it lets the bright flavor of the basil show through. 

Fresh Basil Pesto is delicious on pasta, breads, pizza, veggies, meats, and more. It's ready in almost no time- a few seconds in the food processor, and you're done!



Fresh Basil Pesto

Makes about 1 cup

2 cups fresh basil leaves (packed)
5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted
2 teaspoons minced garlic (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Chop the basil leaves in your food processor for a few seconds. Add the rest of the ingredients and process, checking frequently and scraping the sides if necessary, until the pesto is the desired texture. Mine took about 2 minutes, but my processor is old and tired. :) Your time may vary.

Pesto will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks. It may separate a little, but just give it a stir before using.

Print recipe




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76 comments:

  1. ThreeDawgLadyJuly 6, 2013 at 9:39 PM

    I love pesto....can't wait to make some!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 7, 2013 at 10:26 AM

      It's one of my favorite things about summer, Deborah- fresh basil! Thank you for visiting from Three Dawg Lady Designs! :)

      Delete
  2. Cindy Eikenberg, Little Miss CelebrationJuly 7, 2013 at 7:35 AM

    Hi Joy! Thank you so much for hosting today's party. That pesto looks absolutely divine! Happy Sunday and hope you have a wonderful week! Love, Cindy

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    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 7, 2013 at 9:51 AM

      Cindy, thank you for being the world's best guest AND hostess! ;)

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJuly 7, 2013 at 8:04 AM

    I have a lot of fresh basil and was looking for a great pesto recipe. Will definitely try this one. Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 7, 2013 at 9:48 AM

      I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! I'm so glad you came by- thanks! :)

      Delete
  4. Lea AnnJuly 7, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    Just in time, I was getting ready to Google a pesto recipe. Lots of basil in my back yard and I've never made pesto. Pinned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 7, 2013 at 12:12 PM

      I hope you enjoy all that fresh basil, Lea Ann! Thank you for stopping by- I'm glad to see you! :)

      Delete
  5. Naturally Persnickety MomJuly 7, 2013 at 3:37 PM

    Found you on Sweet Tea Social Link Party. This recipe sounds fabulous! I have never made fresh pesto before, but always wanted to try. Here is a great recipe to start with. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 8, 2013 at 10:08 AM

      Great to hear from a fellow Texan- thanks for coming by! If you try this recipe, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

      Delete
  6. cooking with curlsJuly 7, 2013 at 3:48 PM

    Yum...I love pesto! Unfortunately, my Basil is not doing so well this year. Yours looks gorgeous Joy :)

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    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 8, 2013 at 9:56 AM

      Lisa, thank you so much! I wish I could share some basil with you! :)

      Delete
  7. UnknownJuly 8, 2013 at 7:55 AM

    My daughter just loves pesto! We are growing some basil right now, I will have to see if there is some ready and whip this up for her dinner tonight!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 8, 2013 at 9:52 AM

      Lucky daughter! :) Hope y'all enjoy it!

      Delete
  8. DawnJuly 8, 2013 at 7:55 AM

    What a beautiful pesto. My basil was gorgeous one day and gone the next. No idea what happened to it.
    Dawn
    Spatulas On Parade

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 8, 2013 at 9:51 AM

      Maybe your neighbor loves pesto? ;) I'm just sayin'...

      Delete
  9. Rebooting MyselfJuly 8, 2013 at 8:13 AM

    Looks great! I love basil!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 8, 2013 at 9:55 AM

      Me, too, Desiree!! Thanks for coming by- I do appreciate it!

      Delete
  10. fromcalculustocupcakesJuly 8, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    Beautiful photos! I love pesto, and I have a really big basil plant, so I am going to have to make this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 8, 2013 at 10:20 AM

      Thank you so much! If you try it, I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  11. krystalJuly 8, 2013 at 12:10 PM

    Love, love, love basil! <3 Stopping by from SGBC, pinning this to my recipe board!

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    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 9, 2013 at 8:43 AM

      Thank you, Krystal, and thanks for pinning! Love SGBC! :)

      Delete
  12. Prototype mamaJuly 8, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    I love me a good pesto! I usually cheat and just buy the packs already made ;) but this looks easy enough for me to try!

    Chene via SGBC!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 9, 2013 at 8:45 AM

      Chene, it is really easy (but sometimes I buy the ready-made stuff, too, lol!). Thank you for coming by, and thanks for all the work you put into SGBC! :)

      Delete
  13. UnknownJuly 8, 2013 at 2:18 PM

    Yum!!! Pesto is so so tasty. Love your recipe!! Stopping by from SGBC! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 9, 2013 at 8:47 AM

      Thank you, Kirstin Marie! And thanks for coming by from SGBC! :)

      Delete
  14. Michelle BJuly 8, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    Pesto is one of those things I look most forward to in the summer. And you are right--it is good on so many things. Thank you for linking this week with See Ya in the Gumbo, Joy!

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    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 9, 2013 at 9:03 AM

      Thanks, Michelle, and thanks for hosting! :)

      Delete
  15. Madison BJuly 8, 2013 at 7:36 PM

    Oh man, I love pesto so much! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 9, 2013 at 9:00 AM

      Thanks, Madison, and thanks for coming by! :)

      Delete
  16. Hun.... WFDJuly 9, 2013 at 8:22 AM

    What a lovely pesto. Even without all the oil, it looks fabulous! Thank you for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 9, 2013 at 8:57 AM

      Thank you, Cindy, and thanks for hosting! :)

      Delete
  17. Julie's LifestyleJuly 9, 2013 at 9:21 AM

    Hi and thanks for sharing this. My daughter loves pesto sauce and I will try this. I saw it on tuesday trivia.
    Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 9, 2013 at 3:17 PM

      Julie, if you try it I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Thank you so much for coming by! :)

      Delete
  18. SarahJuly 9, 2013 at 12:37 PM

    I just topped all of my basil the other day. I don't follow a recipe just add the basic ingredients until it's how I want it (always with a LOT of garlic too...)I ended up with about a quart of pesto!

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownJuly 9, 2013 at 3:47 PM

    Looks so yummy and easy! Found you through TX Women Bloggers...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 10, 2013 at 12:53 PM

      Ali, it is yummy and easy! :) I'm really glad you stopped by from Texas Women Bloggers- always good to meet another Texan!

      Delete
  20. Linda WalkerJuly 10, 2013 at 10:25 AM

    I love pesto! I have several basil plants and have always wanted to make my own pesto. Looks pretty easy. Will have to give it a try...found you at Family Home and Life's Linky Party....
    Linda
    mysewwhatblog.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 10, 2013 at 12:51 PM

      Hi, Linda! It's very easy! :) If you try it I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Thanks for coming over from Connie's linky party!!

      Delete
  21. UnknownJuly 11, 2013 at 1:33 PM

    So going to try this one! Thank you for spreading JOY and sharing at the Oh What a HAPPY Day party.

    Holly at Not Done Growing

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    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 14, 2013 at 7:01 PM

      Thank you, Holly, and thanks for hosting! :)

      Delete
  22. Judy@Savoring TodayJuly 12, 2013 at 3:32 PM

    Mmm, basil pesto is summer to me, its fragrance unmatched. Thanks for sharing on Hearth & Soul Hop. :)

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    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 13, 2013 at 8:40 PM

      Thank you so much, Judy, and thanks for coming by! I always enjoy Hearth and Soul! :)

      Delete
  23. UnknownJuly 13, 2013 at 2:47 PM

    I love how fresh it looks! Delicious!

    Pinned it! Thanks for sharing with us at One Sharendipity Place this weekend!

    Krys @thet2women.com and www.worshipingwhilewaiting.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 14, 2013 at 6:52 PM

      Thank you, Krystle, and thanks for pinning! :)

      Delete
  24. JoyJuly 14, 2013 at 6:58 PM

    Thank you Claire, and thanks for pinning! I love Best of the Weekend! :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownJuly 15, 2013 at 4:38 PM

    Oh, I love pesto!!!!! Thank you for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday! Have a great week!!! :-) Zannie @ mymixingspoon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 16, 2013 at 3:30 PM

      Thank you, Zannie! I always have a good time at FFF! :)

      Delete
  26. Mary SmithJuly 16, 2013 at 7:07 AM

    YUM! I love homemade foods but pesto is my favorite.
    Thanks for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist!
    Hope to see you again this week.

    http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2013/07/tuesdays-with-twist-15.html

    ReplyDelete
  27. Turning the Clock BackJuly 16, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    I just wanted to let you know that your recipe is featured in What's Cooking Wednesday this week! Thanks for stopping by! http://www.turningclockback.com/2013/07/whats-cooking-wednesday-recipe-linky-25.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 19, 2013 at 8:04 PM

      Thank you, Diane!! I always enjoy What's Cooking Wednesday! :)

      Delete
  28. UnknownJuly 17, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    My son loves fresh basil, I can't keep enough of it in the house. Thanks for sharing Thursdays Treasures, I'm featuring you this this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 19, 2013 at 8:02 PM

      Thank you so much, Joan- I am really happy to be featured! :)

      Delete
  29. AnonymousJuly 18, 2013 at 11:57 AM

    I just made this fantastic pesto! I only had enough basil leaves for half the recipe, but if my little plants keep on producing as I hope, another batch will soon be in the making. Thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoyJuly 19, 2013 at 8:07 PM

      Susan, I am so happy that you tried and liked the pesto! Thanks for letting me know- that just makes my day! :)

      Delete
  30. LitaAugust 5, 2013 at 11:01 PM

    Thanks for coming by Saturday Dishes.

    Linda @Tumbleweed Contessa

    ReplyDelete
  31. Janine HuldieJune 5, 2014 at 7:51 AM

    My husband loves Pesto, so I pinned to show to him to try. Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. shari @ keto foodificationJune 5, 2014 at 8:23 AM

    This looks lovely Joy. I make up large batches of pesto and freeze them when my basil is going crazy. Can't wait to try your recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  33. UnknownJune 5, 2014 at 8:37 AM

    Joy,

    Pesto is so good for you and so easy to make. I have recently started making it myself too. Your pesto look really good. I need to make some more. I made several batches of pasta with it, but my daughter said she wanted me to make some bruschetta.
    Blessings and sharing!
    Diane Roark

    ReplyDelete
  34. Jenny.UJune 6, 2014 at 9:09 AM

    Love pesto and it's freezable too! I put mine in ice cube trays.

    ReplyDelete
  35. UnknownJune 6, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    Ohh, so amazing! Thanks for this wonderful post, and the pictures are beautiful. Carrie, A Mother's Shadow

    ReplyDelete
  36. Carole WestJuly 7, 2015 at 11:05 AM

    Yum! I love pesto - last year I made it with almonds and then tried it with walnuts which was my favorite. I might need to make a fresh batch as I to have plenty of basil growing. Finally the garden is doing great.
    Carole @ Garden Up Green

    ReplyDelete
  37. karenJuly 9, 2015 at 9:38 AM

    wow...this looks so darn good and I have to try this. Stopping by from #FullPlateThursday

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  38. TheresaJuly 10, 2015 at 12:55 PM

    Thanks for sharing at the parties @DearCreatives pinned & shared. Hope your having a great summer. I love pesto & know I'll be making some soon.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Jennifer@MyFlagstaffHomeJuly 10, 2015 at 4:52 PM

    I adore pesto. Thanks for the recipe. Thanks for linking up at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home!

    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  40. SarenaJuly 10, 2015 at 6:04 PM

    Fresh pesto is the best! Thanks for sharing this great recipe and for joining us at the #HomeMattersParty! Hope you'll link up with us again!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Adelina PriddisJuly 11, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    This sounds fantastic! I tried growing some basil this year, but it never sprouted :( Thanks for sharing on Weekend Bites

    ReplyDelete
  42. Lou Lou GirlsJuly 11, 2015 at 12:19 PM

    Oh Yum! I get so excited each week to see what you have been working on because it's always AMAZING! Thank you for sharing this with us. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm, so we can party!!!! Lou Lou Girls

    ReplyDelete
  43. SwathiJuly 13, 2015 at 4:03 PM

    I have lot of basil in my garden, I am going to try your version, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning. tweeting. and featuring on this week's hop.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Jas @ All that's JasJuly 14, 2015 at 6:02 PM

    Great way to use up all that basil growing in my garden. Thanks for sharing with us at Thursday Favorite Things :) Please join us again this week!

    ReplyDelete
  45. elaine @cookinandcraftin.comJuly 15, 2015 at 7:45 AM

    Yummy!! I just picked some Basil myself!! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday!! Hope to see you again!! I love having you!! Pinned!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Ashley MullenJuly 16, 2015 at 9:02 AM

    This is a great idea and way to use some of my basil. :-) I have a potted herb garden, mainly just because I love the smells coming from it.

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  47. Love Bakes Good CakesJuly 16, 2015 at 2:36 PM

    I think I could put pesto on pretty much anything. I looove it! I'm stopping by to let you know that you are being featured at Freedom Fridays this week! :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Tanya @ Moms Small VictoriesJuly 16, 2015 at 7:39 PM

    We love pesto and can't wait to use the basil we're growing to make this. Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup. Pinning to our linkup board and hope you found some great posts to visit this week!

    ReplyDelete

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