Homemade Pesto

This super easy 5 Ingredient Homemade Basil Pesto recipe takes only 5 minutes to make and is so much better than store-bought. Plus, I’ve collected 15 of my favorites recipes to use this pesto in one place. Enjoy!

Love homemade sauces? Then try my Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce and my Bourbon Barbecue Sauce!

5 Ingredient Homemade Pesto | chefsavvy.com

Homemade Basil Pesto

What do you do when you have an abundance of basil in your garden? You make pesto! Pesto is super easy to make and doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or time and is a great way to use up extra  basil.

This Homemade Basil Pesto recipe only requires 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time. It’s delicious and super easy to make!

Even better, you can make this fresh in the summer and freeze or can to use all year long. Perfect for sandwiches, grilling, pasta, and so much more!

5 Ingredient Homemade Pesto recipe

Why You Should Make your Own Pesto

Simply put, making your own pesto at home tastes so much better and can be customized to your taste. Not to mention it’s so easy to do! You can always add more oil for a thinner pesto or make it thick and chunky with less. If the basil flavor is too strong for your taste substitute spinach leaves. You can also substitute any herbs of nuts you have on hand. I love making pesto with walnuts and pecans.

How To Make Homemade Basil Pesto

Wondering how to make pesto? Simply add of the ingredients — basil, pine nuts, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper — to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Season as needed, and enjoy!

Pesto ingredients in food processor

Pesto in food processor

Variations

  • Change up the greens and herbs! Mint, parsley, arugula, spinach, kale, broccoli, carrot greens … the options are endless!
  • Mix up the nuts! Pecans, walnuts, and almonds work beautifully here.
  • Customize the flavor profile to your liking! I like adding lemon juice, walnut oil, sun dried tomatoes, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Storage Instructions for Pesto

Store your homemade pesto in a tightly sealed container. To help extend the life of the pesto cover the top with plastic wrap making sure to touch the top of the pesto so air doesn’t get in. Another trick is to add a thin layer of oil to the top of the pesto to also help keep the air out. Pesto stays good in the refrigerator for up to a week.

You can also freeze it in an ice cube tray. Just leave a little space to top with olive oil to keep it from browning.

Easy Homemade Pesto recipe | chefsavvy.com

15 Perfect Pesto Recipes

Appetizers

Breakfast

Pasta

Sandwiches

Main dish

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5 Ingredient Homemade Pesto Plus 15 Pesto Recipes

4.5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 About 1 cup
Super Easy 5 Ingredient Homemade Basil Pesto Plus 15 Pesto Recipes! This Homemade Pesto takes only 5 minutes to make and is so much better than store-bought!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups basil packed
  • 1/4 cup pinenuts
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

Images:
  • Add all of the ingredients to a food processor. Pulse until combined.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Facts
5 Ingredient Homemade Pesto Plus 15 Pesto Recipes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 409 Calories from Fat 378
% Daily Value*
Fat 42g65%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 9mg3%
Sodium 202mg9%
Potassium 172mg5%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 1364IU27%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 190mg19%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Appetizer, Condiment
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: 5 Ingredient, Fresh herbs, Homemade Pesto, Summer Recipes

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