Homemade Basil Pesto

This Homemade Basil Pesto is fresh and easy! This recipe is delicious with the addition of garlic, toasted pine nuts, and shaved parmesan. Add it to any sandwich, chicken recipe, pizza or pasta.

Course Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Mediterranean

Keyword basil, garlic, healthy recipes, homemade pesto, mediterranean, olive oil, parmesan, pine nuts, spinach

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup Spinach, (Not packed)
1 cup Fresh Basil Leaves, (Not packed)
1/4 cup Parmesan, shaved or shredded from block
2 tbsp Raw Pine Nuts, lightly toasted
2 clove Garlic, medium
1/4-1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

On medium heat, add 2 tbsp pine nuts to a dry, small skillet pan. Toast pine nuts, stirring every 30 seconds, until lightly golden brown. Only a 2-3 minutes total.
In a large food-processor, combine basil, spinach, parmesan, garlic, toasted pine nuts, and a little salt and pepper. Process until mixture is coarse but combined.
With processor on, slowly add the olive oil and process until smooth. *SEE NOTE BELOW. Add more salt and pepper to taste and pulse a few more times until combined.

Recipe Notes

*NOTE: The amount of olive oil is up to you. Adding 1/4 cup oil will make your pesto slightly thicker for a spread....and adding 1/2 cup oil will make it a little more like a sauce for pasta etc. Add more salt and pepper to taste and pulse a few more times until combined.