Quick and easy creamy pesto you can whip up in 5 minutes or less! PLUS 15+ ways to use it!
This week, I did something outside of my cooking comfort zone. I pushed myself to make something from scratch. You know, instead of grabbing it pre-made at the the store. I have been trying to do this more.
I was making some Caprese Pasta Salad that called for Pesto sauce. And since I have a ton of basil growing in my garden, I figured why not actually use it and make the Pesto myself. I know it’s not hard, per say. But what can I say, I am sometimes, ok all the time, a lazy cook.
This classic basil pesto comes together easily with pine nuts, parmesan cheese, olive oil, basil, and lemon juice. Just through it in your food processor and you are good to go! It really is very simple.
Homemade Basil Pesto

- 3 cups fresh basil leaves slightly packed
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup olive oil
-
Add the basil leaves, parmesan cheese, minced galric, lemon zest, pine nuts, and lemon juice to a blender or food processor. Blend continuously until the ingredients start to breakdown. If you prefer a more coarse pesto, use the pulse setting. Stream in the olive oil and allow the ingredients to emulsify with the oil. You want to continue processing until the oil is combined with the basil and your other ingredients. Taste the pesto, add additional garlic or parmesan to preference.
Now that you know how simple it is to make homemade basil pesto, you need some recipes to use it! I put together some of my favorite ways use to homemade basil pesto!
15+ Ways to Use Homemade Basil Pesto
Zucchini Noodles with Chicken, Roasted Tomatoes, and Pesto | Kylee Cooks
Pesto Chicken Pasta | ABCs and Garden Peas
Pesto Ravioli With Asparagus and Grape Tomatoes | See Mom Click
Easy Pesto Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake | The Pinning Mama
Marinated Vegetable Kabobs with Pesto Yogurt Sauce | Kylee Cooks
Pesto Pizza with Goat Cheese, Spinach and Roasted Tomatoes| Jo-Lynne Shane
Pesto Chicken Sandwich | Baking Mischief
Pesto Cheese Bombs | Self-Proclaimed Foodie
Shrimp Pesto Pasta | Dinner at the Zoo
Lemon Pesto Rice | Favorite Family Recipes
Creamy Pesto Mac with Spinach | Budget Bytes
Spaghetti Squash with Pesto | A Family Feast
Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Garlic Pesto | Minimalist Baker
[…] All you need are your classic caprese ingredients (basil, fresh mozzarella, and tomatoes), some homemade pesto, and Academia Barilla […]