Basil Pesto

Name: Basil Pesto
Prep time: 15

4.7

4.7 out of 5 stars (based on 6 reviews)

15 min prep

6 servings

Carrot Icon for Number of Ingredients Size

6 ingredients

A classic Italian sauce that is great with pasta, potatoes, chicken or fish. Not only is it versatile but it freezes well, too. Pour the basil pesto into an ice cube tray and defrost... a cube next time you want to use it.

2 to 3 cloves of garlic
¾ cup of pine nuts, toasted until golden and cooled
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
5 cups sweet basil leaves, washed
Sea salt and pepper, to taste
½ cup extra virgin olive oil

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Nutrition Facts

Calories

377 cals

Fat

36 g

Saturated Fat

7 g

Polyunsaturated Fat

8 g

Monounsaturated Fat

18 g

Carbohydrates

4 g

Sugar

1 g

Fiber

1 g

Protein

12 g

Sodium

343 mg

Directions

In a food processor, pulse the garlic until finely chopped. Add the pine nuts, cheese, basil, salt, and pepper. Process until finely chopped. Keeping the food processor running, add the oil until well blended. Serve immediately, freeze or cover with plastic wrap and chill until ready to use.

Chef Tips

Pesto freezes incredibly well. Tip it into a 1 quart freezer bag. From the bottom loosely roll the bag in on itself towards the opening. This will flatten out the pesto, get rid of the air and prevent freezer burn. While the bag is still rolled up, seal it. Unroll. Make a note of the date and contents and freeze flat. Break off pieces as needed.

Registered Dietitian Approved

Our recipes, articles, and videos are reviewed by our oncology-trained dietitians to ensure that each is backed with scientific evidence and follows the guidelines set by the Oncology Nutrition for Clinical Practice, 2nd Ed., published by the Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, a professional interest group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Cancer Society