Basil Pesto Classic Recipe Variations Wellplated Com

Classic basil pesto is a green sauce made from basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and good quality olive oil. It tastes herby, nutty, a little grassy, and exceptionally fresh. Pesto is also flexible. While basil and pine nuts are traditional, they are only one version:

Use other nuts instead of pine nuts (like the walnuts in the Creamy Basil Pesto from The Well Plated Cookbook).Change the basil for other herbs or greens (like the cilantro and arugula in this Avocado Pesto).Even the cheese is flexible. Need a vegan pesto? Just leave it out or add nutritional yeast.

Pesto’s glory is its simplicity. It’s only a handful of ingredients, and it adds liveliness to anything to which you add it… …and as you’ll see, you can add pesto to a lot.

How to Make Sweet Basil Pesto

Pesto is a food that it is truly worth making from scratch. While you can find some decent store-bought pestos, nothing compares to the taste of homemade pesto fresh from your own kitchen. My main gripe about most basil pesto recipes is that they are too oily. I want my pesto to cling to noodles, stand up as a spread on sandwiches, and be more about the herbs than the oil.

I make my pesto on the thicker side (higher ratio of basil and nuts to oil).If you prefer your pesto, looser, add more olive oil as desired.

The Ingredients

Pine Nuts. Nuts give the pesto structure and delicious nutty flavor. While pine nuts are the most commonly used nut, you can swap them for walnuts, almonds, or pistachios.

Garlic. For that scrumptious garlicky goodness. Basil. The star of the show! Basil exudes freshness with a hint of sweetness. It also is partly responsible for the pesto’s green hue. Spinach. Adds an extra touch of freshness, boosts the green color, and packs in nutrition. You can use greens like spinach, kale, or arugula in your pesto. Salt + Pepper. A simple combination that helps add flavor to the pesto. Olive Oil. The oil helps give the pesto the perfect consistency and adds richness. Parmesan. The addictive cheesy, salty addition that completes this pesto. See the “Pesto Variations” box below for substitution ideas.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Air is the enemy of pesto! To store, place pesto in the refrigerator in as small a container as possible, and press a piece of plastic over the top so air doesn’t touch the pesto. Instead of plastic, you can also drizzle a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil on top. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. If your leftover pesto loses any flavor, you can perk it back up with a little bit of lemon juice.To Freeze. Freeze pesto in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before using. You can also freeze small portions in an ice cube tray; be sure it’s in an airtight freezer bag.

How to Use Basil Pesto

Pasta. As classic Pesto Pasta and this Chicken Pesto Pasta proves, pasta and pesto were meant to be!Pizza. Whether you add pesto to an English Muffin Pizza or Burrata Pizza, you can’t go wrong. Sandwiches. Take your favorite sandwiches to the next level with pesto. Try it on a Portobello Mushroom Burger, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, or an Air Fryer Grilled Cheese. Bread. For a simple, satisfying way to enjoy pesto, spread it on a slice of No Knead Focaccia. Eggs. Try this Pesto Quiche, or add some pesto to this Crustless Quiche. Meat. Pesto is delicious on everything from Grilled Pesto Chicken Skewers to Air Fryer Chicken Breast to Stuffed Pork Chops. Seafood. Top your favorite seafood with this yummy pesto! We love it on Pesto Salmon, Grilled Shrimp Seasoning, or Grilled Cod. Vegetables. Use it for Pesto Potato Salad or simply add it to any of your favorite Oven Roasted Vegetables. Appetizers. For the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer! Try my Pesto Pinwheels.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Food Processor. The food processor I own and love!Small Skillet. A small skillet is great for toasting nuts. Storage Jars. These cute little airtight storage jars are ideal for leftover pesto.

Homemade basil pesto sauce, you keep life fresh!

Greens. Add a few handfuls of other greens, such as arugula, kale, spinach, chard, or beet greens.Herbs. Substitute all or part of the basil for mint, parsley, or cilantro.Nuts. You can make great basil pesto with walnuts, pistachios, almonds, or a mix. For basil pesto without nuts, use pumpkin seeds.Parmesan. For a vegan pesto, swap the Parmesan for nutritional yeast. Or use a different Italian hard cheese, such as pecorino.Creamy. Try the Creamy Basil Pesto with Greek Yogurt from The Well Plated Cookbook.Fun Additions. Add sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers.

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