This easy, beautiful pesto recipe is absolutely bursting with fresh homemade pesto pasta flavour. Add most of the remaining cheese, then season to perfection with salt and black pepper.
Have a taste, and keep adding a bit more cheese or oil until you are happy with the taste and consistency. Add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end to give it a little twang, if you like, but it’s not essential. Tips You may think it’s nice to toast the pine nuts until they’re golden, to give them a nutty taste, but the really good pestos I’ve tasted in Italy just have them very lightly toasted, to give a creaminess rather than a nuttiness. Skip the store-bought sauces and whip up a fast and fresh recipe for the best basil pesto perfect for serving with your favorite noodles. I first shared this recipe for basil pesto way back in 2009.
And after recently featuring it in my Instagram Stories, I decided it was about time this ol’ post got a makeover. The recipe is still the tried and true classic. But the photos have gotten some much needed nipping and tucking. My Nikon and I have come a long way in the past 8 years!
Basil pesto is one of my earliest childhood food memories, all thanks to my mom Noni, who made this recipe a staple in our home decades ago. Its garlicky without being overwhelming, and it leaves the door wide open for customizations when it comes to nuts. Pine nuts are, of course, the most traditional option. But I’ve followed this exact recipe and substituted in nearly every nut variety with success, from pistachios and walnuts to almonds and even as one reader noted below, macadamia nuts. And speaking of versatility, this basil pesto can be used in many a ways beyond a bowl of noodles.
Try stirring a tablespoon or two into mayonnaise for a flavor-packed sandwich spread or French fry dip, or use it as the base for a seriously herbacious salad dressing. No matter what way you blend it or use it, one thing is certain: Homemade basil pesto beats the store-bought stuff every time. And if you’re staring down any leftovers, pour it into an ice cube tray then freeze it. POp out a cube, stir it into piping hot pasta and devour! Subscribe to Just a Taste to get new recipes, meal plans and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! The Best Basil Pesto Pasta Skip the store-bought sauces and whip up a fast and fresh recipe for the best basil pesto perfect for serving with your favorite noodles. Instructions In a food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, garlic, toasted pine nuts, kosher salt and pepper.