Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe: Ina Garten’s Garden-Fresh Twist

Basil pesto breathes life into mundane meals, transforming them with a vibrant, emerald-green splash of flavor.

This Mediterranean marvel weaves herbaceous magic through every dollop, whispering tales of sun-drenched gardens and rustic kitchens.

Aromatic basil leaves dance with garlic and pine nuts, creating a symphony of taste that electrifies ordinary dishes.

Professional chefs and passionate home cooks alike worship this silky sauce for its incredible versatility.

Each spoonful carries an intense flavor profile that dances across your tongue with remarkable complexity.

Fresh, high-quality ingredients are the secret weapon in crafting a pesto that sings with authentic charm.

Let this culinary gem be your passport to a world of delectable, effortless cooking that will make your taste buds leap with joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 211 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Basil Pesto Recipe

• Walnuts: Select plump, golden-brown nuts with a sweet, earthy aroma for maximum flavor depth.
• Pine Nuts: Choose creamy, ivory-colored kernels that feel heavy and smell fresh, avoiding any rancid odors.
• Garlic Cloves: Pick firm, compact bulbs with tight, papery skins and no visible sprouting for robust, sharp taste.

• Basil Leaves: Opt for bright green, tender leaves without brown spots, ensuring peak freshness and vibrant color.
• Kosher Salt: Select coarse, flaky crystals that enhance natural flavors without overwhelming the delicate herb blend.
• Black Pepper: Choose whole peppercorns to grind fresh, releasing intense, aromatic notes just before blending.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Pick cold-pressed, unrefined oil with grassy, peppery undertones for authentic Mediterranean character.
• Parmesan Cheese: Source authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano with a complex, nutty profile and crystalline texture for ultimate richness.

Equipment Guide for Whipping Up Ina’s Pesto

• Food Processor: Your kitchen powerhouse for quickly blending nuts, herbs, and creating smooth pesto.
• Measuring Spoons: Perfect for accurately portioning salt and tracking ingredient quantities.
• Garlic Press (optional): Helps crush garlic cloves for more intense flavor if not using food processor.
• Spatula: Essential for scraping down processor sides and ensuring all ingredients mix evenly.
• Grater: Ideal for freshly grating Parmesan cheese directly into the mixture.
• Airtight Container: Necessary for storing your homemade pesto in refrigerator or freezer.
• Ice Cube Tray (optional): Great for freezing pesto in small, convenient portions.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for roughly chopping basil leaves before processing.

Instructions to Make Ina Garten’s Classic Pesto

• Crush Nutty Foundation

Grab a food processor and toss in walnuts, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse quickly until the mixture becomes a fragrant, coarse blend that hints at the deliciousness to come.

• Awaken Herbal Magic

Toss fresh basil leaves into the nut mixture, sprinkling in salt and pepper. Watch as the vibrant green ingredients dance together, creating a sensational base for your pesto.

• Unleash Liquid Silk

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil into the spinning processor, allowing the ingredients to merge into a luscious, smooth sauce. The oil transforms the rough chunks into a silky dream.

• Elevate with Cheesy Richness

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese into the whirling mixture, blending until the sauce develops a luxurious, creamy texture. The cheese adds depth and a tangy punch that makes taste buds sing.

• Preserve Your Culinary Treasure

Your homemade pesto is ready to shine! Spread it on sandwiches, toss with pasta, or drizzle over salads. Keep the magic alive by storing in the refrigerator for a week or freeze in portion-sized cubes for future flavor explosions.

Pro Tips to Customize Ina’s Basil Pesto

• Boost Nut Variety: Swap walnuts and pine nuts with almonds, pecans, or sunflower seeds for unique flavor profiles and added nutritional diversity.
• Customize Herb Blend: Replace some basil with parsley, cilantro, or arugula to create exciting new pesto variations that spark culinary creativity.
• Elevate Cheese Options: Experiment with pecorino romano, aged gouda, or nutritional yeast for dairy-free alternatives that deliver complex taste dimensions.
• Preserve Freshness Hack: Pour a thin layer of olive oil on top of stored pesto to prevent oxidation and maintain vibrant green color and robust flavor intensity.

Serving Ina Garten’s Fresh Pesto the Right Way

• Savor on Pasta Perfection: Toss the freshly made pesto with hot linguine or spaghetti, creating a creamy and aromatic coating that transforms a simple pasta dish into a gourmet experience.
• Spread Mediterranean Magic: Slather the pesto on toasted ciabatta bread, top with grilled vegetables or sliced chicken for a quick and delicious sandwich that bursts with herbal flavors.
• Elevate Salad Dressing: Thin the pesto with a splash of lemon juice or additional olive oil to create a vibrant, zesty dressing that adds depth and richness to fresh green salads or roasted vegetable platters.
• Transform Appetizer Experience: Use the pesto as a dipping sauce for crusty bread, drizzle over caprese salad, or mix into hummus for an unexpected twist that will impress guests at your next gathering.

Storing and Freezing Ina’s Basil Pesto Like a Pro

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Transfer your homemade pesto to a clean, airtight glass container, ensuring minimal air exposure to maintain its vibrant green color and robust flavor.
• Refrigerator Strategy: Seal the container tightly and store in the coldest part of your refrigerator for maximum preservation, typically lasting 5-7 days without losing its zesty taste profile.
• Freezing Brilliance: Pour pesto into ice cube trays for perfect single-serving portions, allowing you to thaw exactly what you need for quick meals without waste.
• Surface Protection Trick: Before sealing your container, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top of the pesto to create a protective barrier that prevents oxidation and preserves the bright, fresh herbs' essence.

Divine Basil Pesto Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s basil pesto delivers fresh Mediterranean flavors with classic Italian ingredients. Pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, and fresh basil create a simple yet delectable sauce you can savor with pasta, sandwiches, or grilled vegetables.

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Ingredients

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• 5 cups (1.2 liters) basil leaves, fresh
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) olive oil, good
• 1 cup (240 ml) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) garlic, chopped (9 cloves)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) pignoli (pine nuts)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) walnuts
• 1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
• 1 tsp (5 ml) black pepper, freshly ground

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Instructions

1. Nut and Garlic Preparation: Pulse walnuts, pine nuts, and peeled garlic cloves in a food processor until finely and uniformly chopped, creating a foundational texture for the pesto.
2. Herb and Seasoning Integration: Add fresh basil leaves, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to the processor, allowing the herbs and seasonings to meld and intensify the flavor profile.
3. Oil Emulsification: Slowly stream extra-virgin olive oil into the running food processor, blending until the mixture transforms into a smooth, cohesive sauce with a vibrant green hue.
4. Cheese Incorporation: Introduce freshly grated Parmesan cheese and continue processing, ensuring complete integration and maintaining a creamy, consistent texture that balances the herbal and nutty elements.
5. Final Refinement and Storage: Taste and fine-tune seasonings as needed, then transfer to an airtight container. For immediate consumption, serve at room temperature; alternatively, preserve by covering with a thin olive oil layer and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 months.

Notes

• Nut Selection Matters: Choose fresh, high-quality walnuts and pine nuts for the most vibrant and rich flavor profile in your pesto.
• Pulse Precisely: Short, controlled pulses in the food processor prevent over-processing, maintaining a textured and rustic consistency.
• Cheese Quality Counts: Use freshly grated Parmesan for maximum flavor depth and creamy texture, avoiding pre-packaged grated cheese.
• Preservation Technique: Seal pesto with a thin olive oil layer to prevent oxidation and maintain bright green color when storing in refrigerator or freezer.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 211
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 260 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg