Garlic Basil Pesto

This post may contain affiliate links but all opinions are my own

There are just some things that are better homemade…well let’s be honest, EVERYTHING is better homemade! Sometimes it just takes a small amount of effort and a food processor to take a meal from good to DELICIOUS. This Garlic Basil Pesto is no exception.

The best part about this garlic basil pesto recipe is that it can be made in less than 5 minutes. And it only requires 5 ingredients. And you only have to wash one dish (your food processor bowl)! This recipe can also easily be Whole30 approved by removing the Parmesan cheese.

I use THIS KITCHENAID FOOD PROCESSOR and I use it at least 3 times a week! It works perfectly and has some amazing attachments, like a cheese grater attachment. Anyone else hate grating a block of cheese??? 🙂

Many basil pesto recipes are made with pine nuts instead of walnuts (I use walnuts in my recipe because that’s what my mother-in-law does and she makes incredible food ;)) but there is another reason for walnuts – pine nuts are EXPENSIVE and in my family, we try to get as much healthy food on the table as possible without emptying our wallets. If you are not a huge walnut fan, don’t be concerned about adding them to this recipe because once the walnuts are mixed with the rest of the pesto, they simply provide a light, crunchy nutty flavor that does not overpower the rest of the sauce.

My family loves garlic. This recipe may seem a little heavy on the garlic because well…it is. But the burst of flavor that the garlic adds to this pesto is incredible and it really makes for a smooth, well-balanced, bright tasting sauce.

Basil pesto is such a versatile sauce. It can be used in so many different dishes. I usually put my pesto over whole grain pasta noodles or in a Panini sandwich with mozzarella cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. However, if you are gluten free or doing the Whole30 Program, you can serve this basil pesto over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a wonderful, healthy dinner.

If you try this recipe, I would love to hear about it! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #ahouseahappyhome so I can check it out. Enjoy!

Print

Garlic Basil Pesto

This Garlic Basil Pesto has a garlicky, nutty flavor that is delicious over pasta noodles, spaghetti squash, or smashed inside a mozzarella, sun-dried tomato Panini sandwich. It takes less than 5 minutes to make and adds huge flavor to a variety of dishes.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 oz basil leaves or about 2 cups
• 1 cup olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Add olive oil, garlic cloves and walnuts to a food processor. Blend on high for about 10 seconds or until everything is chopped but not obliterated.

2. Add Parmesan cheese and basil leaves to the food processor. Pulse 5-7 times until the basil leaves are mixed in but not mushy. Scrape the sides of the bowl if necessary and pulse 1-2 more times. That's it! Enjoy!