Description
This basil and walnut pesto is a delicious sauce made with just 5 simple ingredients. This is a budget friendly alternative to pine nut pesto with all the same delicious flavor!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 cups fresh basil
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 1/2 ounces)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Note: If you want the pesto to remain bright green, blanch the leaves before blending. To do this, bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the basil leaves and cook for 5-10 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove the leaves and transfer to a clean kitchen towel. Gently pat dry. This step isn’t necessary for taste but it helps the pesto retain its vibrant green color.
- In a food processor, blend the walnuts, olive oil, garlic, and basil leaves until mostly smooth.
- Add Parmesan and pulse to combine.
- Season with salt to taste.