Description
This Easy Kale Basil Pesto is a fresh and vibrant twist on the classic pesto recipe. Combining nutrient-rich kale with aromatic basil, garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese, this versatile sauce is perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. It’s quick to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a healthy and delicious addition to your meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs
- 2 cups roughly chopped kale, stems removed
- ½ cup roughly chopped basil, stems removed
- 3 cloves garlic
Nuts and Cheese
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- ½ cup fresh parmesan cheese, grated
Oils and Seasoning
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Remove stems from kale and basil, then roughly chop both greens. Peel the garlic cloves and gather the pine nuts and grated parmesan cheese.
- Combine Ingredients: Place kale, basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, olive oil, and salt into a food processor.
- Process Pesto: Pulse the mixture in the food processor until all ingredients are finely blended and the pesto reaches your desired consistency—smooth or slightly chunky.
- Store: Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep fresh for up to one week, perfect for quick meals throughout the week.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, substitute pine nuts with sunflower seeds or omit them entirely.
- Adjust the amount of olive oil to achieve your preferred pesto consistency.
- Use fresh parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- Freeze leftover pesto in ice cube trays for longer storage up to 3 months.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (about 30g)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 0.3g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.7g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: kale pesto, basil pesto, easy pesto recipe, homemade pesto, Italian sauce, healthy pesto
