Deliciously Simple Pesto Recipe.

This simple pesto recipe is just the thing you need to make this summer! This pesto sauce is ideal for serving with pasta, over fish, or as a dip with some crusty bread.  

It has been burning hot here this week, and yesterday in the upper 90’s.  Bleh.  That kind of heat doesn’t make me feel like cooking anything.

Fortunately Darryl came home with the good idea to harvest our basil and make pesto.  So we only had to turn on the stove to boil the pasta, and it was a delicious and easy summer meal.

The thing about this simple pesto recipe is that it just relies on a few seasonal ingredients, but the result is oh so fabulous. Fresh basil, salty cheese, and garlic combine into a wonderful sauce that is just right on pasta or pretty much anything at all.

Here’s how we make this simple pesto – it’s so easy!

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Simple Pesto Recipe.

A super simple pesto recipe. Easy to make and delicious on pasta!

Course Entree

Cuisine gluten free

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 3

Calories 222 kcal

Author Kelly Roenicke

Ingredients

• 3 cups fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2/3 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 Tablespoons pine nuts you can leave these out if necessary
• salt to taste
• pinch red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

1. Put the basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, cheese, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until well blended. If it's too dry, add a bit more oil.

2. Add as much salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as you like.

3. Serve over hot pasta, chicken, fish, or anything you like! Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

Simple Pesto Recipe.

Amount Per Serving

Calories 222 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 15mg5%

Sodium 357mg16%

Potassium 131mg4%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 1440IU29%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 309mg31%

Iron 1.3mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This simple pesto is really tasty even without the cheese, so if you are dairy free, still make this! I’ve never made pesto with any other herbs, but you could throw some other ones in if you wanted to experiment. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays so that you have smaller portions to add to soups and other dishes this winter.

Ways to use this simple pesto recipe:

• on pasta or stirred into soups
• on fish or chicken
• spread on a sandwich or wrap

Enjoy!