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Quick Homemade Pesto Recipe for Flavor-Packed Meals

Deliciously quick pesto—perfect for busy weeknights. Made in a food processor, this version takes minutes and still delivers fresh, vibrant flavor.

For this relaxed, no-fuss pesto I measure by handfuls. You’ll need one clove of garlic, a handful of pine nuts, two handfuls of finely grated Parmesan, and four handfuls of picked basil leaves—avoid the stalks, which can make the pesto bitter. Finish with a good glug of olive oil to loosen the mixture and sea salt to taste.

Start by pulsing the pine nuts in the food processor until they’re finely chopped. Add the garlic, Parmesan and basil, then pulse again. With the processor running, slowly pour in olive oil until the pesto reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Taste and season with sea salt if needed.

This quick pesto is versatile—here are some simple ways to use it:

  • Stir through hot, freshly cooked spaghetti.
  • Drizzle over torn mozzarella on bruschetta.
  • Swirl into a spring minestrone soup for extra depth.
  • Fold through a basic risotto for a fresh finish.
  • Drizzle onto pizzas just before serving.
  • Spread over chicken or fish and bake for a flavorful crust.
  • Tuck into toasted sandwiches for an instant lift.
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Deliciously quick pesto

Yield:
Serves 4
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Total Time:
10 minutes

Deliciously quick real pesto

Ingredients

  • handful of pine nuts
  • clove of garlic
  • 2 handfuls of finely grated parmesan
  • 4 handfuls of basil leaves
  • glug of olive oil
  • sea salt

Instructions

  1. Pulse the pine nuts in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the garlic, Parmesan and basil, then pulse again.
  2. With the processor running, slowly pour in olive oil until the pesto reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  3. Season with sea salt to taste.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 258Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 660mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 12g

Nutritional values are estimates and will vary with the exact ingredients and quantities used; calculate precisely if you have specific dietary needs.

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© wendy

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