How To Make Pesto At Home
How To Make Pesto At Home is a easy Italian recipe that serves 2. 120 calories per serving. Recipe by Steve | The Vivaldi Way on YouTube.
Prep: 9 min | Cook: 3 min | Total: 20 min
Cost: $7.40 total, $3.70 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh Basil Leaves (packed, washed and patted dry)
- 45 g Pine Nuts (toasted)
- 3 Garlic Cloves (peeled)
- 20 g Pecorino Romano (finely grated)
- 50 g Parmigiano Reggiano (finely grated)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (fine sea salt)
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (plus extra for storage)
Instructions
Toast Pine Nuts
Heat a dry frying pan over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and stir constantly until they turn lightly golden and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes. Remove immediately and set aside to cool.
Time: PT3M
Prepare Basil
Rinse the basil leaves, pat them dry with a clean towel, and strip the leaves from the stems. Discard any wilted or discolored leaves.
Time: PT2M
Combine Ingredients
In the food processor bowl, add the toasted pine nuts, peeled garlic cloves, grated Pecorino Romano, grated Parmigiano Reggiano, lemon juice, salt, and the packed basil leaves. Pulse a few times to break down the larger pieces.
Time: PT2M
Emulsify with Olive Oil
With the processor running, slowly drizzle the extra virgin olive oil through the feed tube until the pesto reaches a smooth yet slightly textured consistency. If the bowl looks too full, stop, dump the mixture into a bowl, and restart with a clean bowl.
Time: PT2M
Taste and Store
Taste the pesto and adjust salt or lemon juice if needed. Transfer the pesto to a small jar, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent oxidation, and seal. Use immediately or store as described.
Time: PT1M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 120
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbohydrates
- 2 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Gluten‑Free
Allergens: Pine nuts, Dairy (cheese), Garlic (may cause intolerance for some)
Last updated: April 9, 2026







