🌿 Easy Clean Basil Pesto
Made with garden-fresh basil and clean ingredients for a vibrant color and flavor!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan, and extra virgin olive oil come together to make this classic homemade pesto. It's bright, flavorful, and free from preservatives or unnecessary additives.
Recipe Snapshot
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: None
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: About 1 cup
• Difficulty: Easy
• Freezer Friendly: ✅
Ingredients
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
â…“ cup pine nuts (or walnuts for a budget-friendly option)
2 cloves garlic
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
1–2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
Instructions
Step 1
Wash and thoroughly dry the basil leaves.
Step 2
Add the following to a food processor (everything except the olive oil)
• Basil
• Parmesan
• Pine nuts
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper
Pulse several times until finely chopped.
Step 3
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto becomes smooth and creamy.
Step 4
Taste and adjust as needed:
• More salt for flavor
• More Parmesan for richness
• A squeeze of lemon juice for freshness
• A little extra olive oil if you'd like a thinner consistency
See It Come Together
Serving Ideas
Enjoy pesto:
Tossed with warm pasta
Spread on sandwiches or wraps
On grilled chicken or salmon
Mixed into roasted vegetables
As a pizza sauce
Stirred into soups
On eggs or avocado toast
As a dip with crackers or fresh vegetables
Helpful Tips
Toast the pine nuts for 3–5 minutes before blending for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best texture and taste.
If making ahead, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top before refrigerating to help preserve its bright green color.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight jar for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer cubes to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
Clean Ingredient Swaps
Nut-Free: Replace pine nuts with raw sunflower seeds.
Dairy-Free: Omit the Parmesan or use your favorite clean dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
Extra Greens: Replace up to half of the basil with baby spinach for a milder flavor while keeping the pesto beautifully green.
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