Easy Basil Pesto Sauce Recipe

This homemade recipe Easy Basil Pesto Sauce is made with olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. This is the same recipe I use for my Chicken Pesto Kabobs.

Let me show you how easy this recipe is to make and enjoy on more than just a bowl of pasta. Tips are included also for freezing and storing this homemade condiment and sauce.

One of the herbs most people love to grow either in their garden or in a container on their kitchen windowsill is basil. And why not? It's pretty easy to grow and you can use it in so many recipes.

Most people serve Easy Basil Pesto Sauce on top of pasta. It's a great side dish for chicken cutlet recipes or a meal on its own.

Check out my gardening post on Tips for Growing Basil if you'd like to try to grow it this spring and summer. It really is an easy herb to grow and enjoy in many recipes.

Looking for delicious recipes to use homemade basil? Try my Chicken Cutlet Sandwich, Grilled Pesto Panini Sandwiches or my Chicken Pesto Kabobs.

Table of Contents

• Recipe Notes
• 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
• 📋Ingredients
• Step-by-Step Directions
• Before You Begin!
• Serving Tips
• Storage Tips
• Freezing Tips
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Comments

Recipe Notes

Here are just a few fun facts about basil and pesto: 

• Besides tomato sauce, pesto sauce is a huge favorite for many people.
• Made with fresh basil, pesto sauce can be used in many recipes besides as a sauce for pasta.  
• Basil has become one of the most recognizable herbs because of Pesto!  It's a very fragrant plant and there are over 60 different types of basil to plant all of which differ in taste.
• This herb is also an excellent source of Vitamin K, Vitamin A and Vitamin C.
• It's also a good source of calcium, iron, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids.

🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools

Mortar And Pestle SetMore InformationKitchenAid Mini Food ProcessorMore InformationRefillable Wooden Pepper Mill -More InformationBall Mason Jars 4 ozMore InformationChalkboard Labels 173 Pcs Pack,More Information(500pc/Roll) 2More Information

 

📋Ingredients

Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!

• Fresh Basil Leaves
• Chopped pine nuts
• Garlic Cloves
• Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper; to taste

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Combine basil leaves, nuts, garlic cloves, and cheese in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.

Step 2: While the food processor is running, gradually drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.

Serving Tips

Of course, the best way to enjoy your fresh pesto sauce is right over hot pasta; which happens to be my son's favorite way. But here are a few other recipes for you to use that I know your family will enjoy:

• Grilled Pesto Panini Sandwiches
• Chicken Stuffed with Mozzarella, Tomato, Pesto and Spinach
• Christmas Tree Puff Pastry Appetizer
• Chicken Pesto Kabobs

Storage Tips

Pesto is best when used right away, but if you have extra, here are a few ways to store:

• Store in an air-tight container for up to a week in the refrigerator.  
• The color can turn a little brown, so it is recommended that you add a layer of olive oil to the top of the pesto and cover tightly.  
• When you need to use the pesto again, just stir the olive oil into the pesto and you're good to go!

Freezing Tips

And if you have an abundance of basil growing in your garden, here are a few ways to store basil and homemade pesto sauce:

• The best way is to add the pesto sauce to ice cube trays and allow the sauce to freeze.
• Then remove the ice cubes from the tray and store in a freezer safe bag.
• Pesto that has been frozen like this can last for up to six months in the freezer.

📖 Recipe Card

This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2016 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!