Homemade Pesto With Walnuts

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A glass jar filled with green pesto sits on a wooden surface, surrounded by fresh basil leaves, walnuts, and a wooden spoon.

This fresh basil pesto recipe is made with walnuts instead of pine nuts! The sauce is thick, flavorful--perfect for tossing with pasta, or spooning onto pizza, and toast!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time: 10

Servings: servings

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

3 ounces 3-3.5 cups, packed fresh basil leaves
2/3 cup toasted walnut halves
2-3 garlic cloves, cut into chunks *see note
1/2 cup Parmesan and pecorino romano cheese blend, grated
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoons coarse Kosher Salt (not table salt)
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

In a food processor, pulse the garlic and walnuts until they are pea sized, but not fully ground.
Add in the basil, salt, pepper, and grated cheese. Pulse until the basil is finely chopped.
Slowly pour in the olive oil while the food processor is running. Process the pesto until it just reaches the consistency you like. Avoid over processing or the pesto will turn black and bitter.
Stop and scrap down the sides of the processor bowl. Add the lemon juice and pulse a few more times just to incorporate the lemon and finish pulverizing the last of the basil leaves.
Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired. You can use the pesto immediately, or set aside until ready to use. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Notes

I use 3 cloves of garlic for this recipe, and that makes a very spicy and garlicky pesto. Use 2 small cloves or roasted garlic if you want a milder garlic flavor.
Toast your own walnuts by adding the walnuts to a dry skillet in a single layer and cooking over medium heat until the walnuts are browned and smell nutty. Set aside to cool before adding to the food processor.
If you don't have a food processor, a blender will work too. Just chop the nuts finer before adding the basil to avoid over processing.

Cuisine Condiments, Sauces, seasoning

Course Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch/Dinner, pasta

Nutrition