Basil Walnut Pesto

walnuts

🥗Healthier: pine nuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Pine nuts offer a similar flavor, while sunflower seeds are budget-friendly.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: pecorino cheese

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free, while pecorino is often less expensive.

Add basil leaves, walnuts, garlic, salt, black pepper, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and 2 tbsp olive oil to the jar of a small food processor.

Blend until a finely chopped mixture forms.

While the food processor is running, drizzle in the remaining olive oil until a slightly coarse sauce is formed. Add more olive oil as needed for the desired consistency.

Scrape the sides of the jar a few times while blending.

Taste-test the salt and add more if required.

Pesto is ready to use immediately; otherwise, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You may want to cover with a thin layer of olive oil or plastic wrap to prevent oxidation.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens