Pesto

Name: Pesto
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 3/4 cup.
Ingredients: 1 cup tightly packed fresh basil or cilantro leaves; 1 cup tightly packed fresh parsley leaves; 1 to 2 garlic cloves; 1/2 cup olive oil; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 teaspoon salt

Homemade pesto always makes a thoughtful hostess gift. Mix things up with the cilantro variation. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ingredients

1 cup tightly packed fresh basil or cilantro leaves
1 cup tightly packed fresh parsley leaves
1 to 2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a food processor, puree all ingredients. Refrigerate for several weeks or freeze in a tightly covered container. Toss a few tablespoons pesto with hot cooked pasta.

Nutrition Facts

2 tablespoons: 97 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 114mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.

Originally published as Pesto in Birds & Blooms August/September 1995

Reviews

My Review

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Average Rating:

7833louis

Feb 14, 2019

This was really good! I used basil leaves and half the Parmesan cheese. Then I used it for the sauce for making a pizza - wonderful! As long as I have fresh basil I will be making my own instead of buying. Thanks for sharing.
aicenhour

Aug 12, 2016

I was looking for a simple pesto recipe with things I already have. I didnt want pine nuts in it. I didn't measure my basil and parsley exactly. I probably used slightly more. Freezes ok, leaving the cheese out of the recipe and adding prior to using would be better I think. I will try that next time.
kitzer

Aug 5, 2016

The ratio is wrong! Not enough 'Leaves'...
gooch621

Jul 9, 2016

I added 1/4 cup pine nuts. It was bitter compared to other recipes.
Strange_Unusual

Aug 20, 2014

You can use this in Tomato soup to give it a tomato/basil bisque feel. I love this stuff!
wellgirl

Jul 17, 2014

First time making pesto and it was so easy.....glad to use up some of my basil and parsley from the herb garden!! Used the pesto for the Grilled Veggie Tortillas recipe from this site.....everything was very good!!
hejcs01

Jun 10, 2014

Really easy and delicious. Received lots of compliments!
HighDee215

Aug 5, 2013

I used this sauce over my pasta and it was so good. This recipe is a keeper!
nussearvp

Jul 21, 2013

This is very easy, uses ingredients I usually have on hand, and tastes great!
IslandWife

Jul 5, 2013

This was my first attempt at pesto - very easy! This was so good - I made homemade pizza and used it as the sauce, put on mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and fresh tomatoes - yum! Thanks for sharing!