Homemade Walnut Basil Pesto Sauce
Walnut basil pesto is the perfect way to capture summer’s garden flavors and save them up for the cold, gray days of winter.
This classic pasta sauce has many uses and is a simple recipe to make. All you need are a few ingredients, one kitchen appliance and some storage jars.
I used an old fashioned blender to make my walnut basil pesto. It’s been in the family for at least a quarter century. Some people use a blender on a frequent basis. We do not.
Once in awhile I make smoothies. Every few months I use it to purees some veggies for a treat I bake up for the parrot. Once or twice a year we make milkshakes.
The blender works well enough for this recipe. However, if you have a food processor, that’s bound to work better! Do you need and excuse to buy a new appliance? You’re welcome.
This summer has been a good one for my garden! I’ve had great results from several of the plants, but especially the basil. I only planted a single seedling, since I didn’t want to have too much basil to harvest.
Guess what? That one plant is giving me more than I hoped for! I’ve got enough basil to last us all year!
I made Basil Oil from some of the leaves. You can read that recipe here. That oil is such a pretty green! I can’t wait to use it!
The classic way to use basil leaves is in pesto. History tells us that pesto sauce has been made since the 1500’s. Traditional recipes rely on basil and pine nuts.
In modern times, we’ve substituted many garden greens and nuts for those traditional ingredients.
Pine nuts are not commonly found in my grocery stores. When I do find them for sale, they are in small packages and a bit pricey for my preferences.
Walnuts are easily found and more affordable in my area, so they are the hearty ingredients in this recipe.
Make It a Meal:
Walnut basil pesto can be used as a sauce on pasta or as a spread on sandwiches.
Add it to a menu that includes: Mushroom and Tomato Pasta, Savory Onion Bread, Tomato Basil Soup, Ricotta Dip, and cheesecake.
Pin It:
If you love this recipe and want to save it for later, pin it to your Pinterest account.
Storage:
I’ve placed my walnut basil pesto in jelly jars for storage. This is the right size, about 8 servings of pasta can be coated in this amount of sauce.
Pesto will keep in the refrigerator for one week in an airtight container. You can also freeze pesto for up to a year in the glass jars.
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Gather your ingredients and make this easy recipe today!
Walnut Basil Pesto Recipe
Ingredients:
Garden fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice and salt & pepper.
Recipe Directions:
Chop, blend, mix, store and serve!
Walnut Basil Pesto Recipe
Here's a classic recipe with a slight twist. Make your basil pesto with walnuts!
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh Basil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan
- 1/2 cup Olive Oil
- 1/3 cup Walnuts Chopped
- 3 tsp Garlic Minced
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
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Gather your ingredients and tools > Measuring cups and spoons, blender or food processor, storage jars.
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Place basil, garlic and walnuts in blender. Pulse until roughly chopped.
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Using the "chop" setting on your blender, add the olive oil in a drizzle to the chopped ingredients.
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Once all of the oil is added and combined, add the Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and lemon juice.
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Mix well. Your pesto is ready when it resembles a coarse peanut butter.
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Transfer from blender to storage jars.
Approximate Nutritional Information:
Servings Per Recipe: 20, Amount Per Serving: Calories: 75, Fat: 7.5g, Cholesterol: 4g, Sodium: 52mg, Carbs: 1g, Protein: 2g
(please remember these are approximate and will vary slightly based on your ingredient selections.)
Great recipe! I will have to try it!
Thanks Melissa, hope you enjoy it!
I have never made my pwn pesto before, but this is such a delicious and easy recipe ! Gonna try it with some chicken very soon
Jessica, it really is easy to make!
Never ever tried this Walnut basil. Looks easy doable recipe. Thanks for sharing will definitely try this asap.
Let me know how you like it. Most people make pesto with pine nuts. .. the walnuts are a bit different flavor.
It looks very yummy. I would surely use it to my homemade Pizza. Would that work? And about tups,it looks simple.
Would totally work on homemade pizza! Let me know when you make it and I’ll be glad to taste test for you.
Never thought of walnuts in pesto but sounds great and adds a great twist to it.
Pine nuts are most common. I like the price of walnuts for the quantity! But really gives a neat flavor to the pesto.
I love basil for its healthy benefits so yes, I’m in for the basil pesto sauce as much as its color is not as inviting. Ha-ha!Anyway, it would be such a healthy sauce for my chicken too.
Pesto tends to get a little brown colored with oxidation. You should check out my basil oil … nice and bright green!
I just looove pesto and this is a great version! Thank you sonnuch for aharing this recipe! It will be great for our summer!
I’m glad you like this version, let me know how it turns out for you!
I love walnut pesto, I fell in love with it the second I tried it, in a market in Liguria. However, I never tried it with basil. Usually in Italy they make it without.
Interesting fact about Italy, I didn’t know that. Now I’m going to look up more recipes!
Yum, I’ll have to try this out. I’ve always enjoy pesto sauce and this one looks incredible.
Thanks Amber! If you like pesto as a rule, you’ll love this version!
Wow i didn’t know pesto was so easy to put together with such few ingredients! My husband says he doesn’t like pesto but I sure would still like to try this recipe! Great share
It is really that easy! And if he doesn’t like it, then all the more for you!
I love pesto! it is perfect on pasta or in a salad! i never tried to do it myself though! i’ll try this recipe!
You’ll be glad you’ve got some on hand for all those pastas and salads! Easy to make and stores well …
I do love pine nuts but not willing to pay 20 a pound. I need to try this with walnuts for sure.
A girl after my own heart! maybe one day I’ll be rich and won’t worry about the cost of pine nuts.
This looks very good! I would try this at home easily.
Thanks Stephanie! I appreciate the comment and hope you do give it a try.
OMG this sounds so yummy!
Wait til you try it!
wow! this is Walnut basil. looks yum and delicious!
It tastes as good as it looks!
This looks so good! I am a fan of a good pesto!
Let me know if you make this version, how you like it. It really is good!
I do loved pesto sauce a lot most especially on my pasta and this pesto recipe procedures looks really easy to follow, thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome. Pesto pasta is my favorite way to use the sauce. Talk about an easy supper, right?!
That’s loads of goodness of Basil and Walnuts. I am definitely gonna try this.
Thanks Aadya! I’d love to hear what you think about the recipe after making a batch.
I have never tried making my own pesto! I need to try a vegan version of this, would be delicious in so many dishes.
Natalie, I’m not good with vegan replacements, but I’m sure you’ve got some good ideas. Let me know what you switch up for the vegan version.