Basil Walnut Almond Pesto

Dive into the delightful world of fresh flavors with my Basil Walnut Almond Pesto, a gentle variation of the traditional Italian sauce. This recipe showcases fresh basil’s rich, aromatic qualities, complemented by the nutty depth of toasted walnuts and almonds. Each ingredient brings a unique taste and texture, creating a versatile and exquisite pesto.
The freshness of this pesto is paramount, with six cups of freshly picked basil leaves at its heart. Including walnuts and almonds offers a twist on the classic pine nut base, adding a subtle complexity to the flavor profile.

Fresh garlic cloves add a robust, spicy kick, enhancing the overall flavor and providing a delightful contrast to the creamy, finely grated Parmesan or Romano cheese. The cheese imparts a savory, umami richness that ties the pesto together, while fresh lemon juice introduces a zesty brightness, balancing the richness of the nuts and cheese. A touch of fresh lemon juice will prevent your pesto from oxidation, preserving the bright green color. Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking, such as using more or less garlic, cheese, or lemon juice, to create a pesto that suits your taste.

Basil Walnut Almond Pesto is a versatile culinary delight, ready to inspire your creativity. Toss it with pasta for a quick and satisfying meal, spread it on sandwiches for a gourmet touch, or use it as a dip for fresh vegetables. It also pairs wonderfully with grilled meats and seafood or as a finishing touch on pizzas and flatbreads. The possibilities are endless, and your creativity is the only limit.
In just 20 minutes, including the cooking time for pasta, you can prepare this delicious and versatile Basil Walnut Almond Pesto, ensuring you always have a taste of freshness ready to elevate your dishes.

Foods that pair well with this pesto include pasta, chicken, fish, and roasted vegetables. It also complements cheeses like mozzarella and ricotta, enhancing their creamy textures with bold, herbaceous notes.

Basil Walnut Almond Pesto Recipe

Mirjana

This gentle twist on the classic Italian sauce features fresh basil, toasted walnuts, and almonds combined with savory Parmesan cheese and a hint of zesty lemon juice. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip, this versatile pesto is a delicious way to add flavor to any meal. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's the ideal recipe for busy weeknights or gourmet gatherings. Try it today and discover your new favorite go-to condiment!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine Italian

Servings 3 cups

Ingredients

  

• 6 cups packed fresh basil leaves washed and dried
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds
• 1 cup finely grated Parmesan or Romano cheese (save 1/4 cup for serving)
• 1 cup olive oil extra virgin
• 6-8 cloves garlic, or to taste
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste (optional)

Instructions

 

• Fresh basil is essential here. It can be readily obtained in the produce section of most supermarkets all year. In the summer, you may have your own basil from your garden, or you can find it in outdoor farmers markets.
  
• Wash basil leaves, and gently pat dry between paper towels.
  
• Prepare Ingredients
  
• Chop the garlic, almonds, and walnuts separately in a chopper or food processor.
  
• Blend Ingredients: 
In a blender, combine basil, olive oil, almonds, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until well chopped, but do not overblend.

  Add Cheese: 
Add the Cheese and pulse to combine briefly. Add more olive oil for a smoother pesto.
  
• For this post, I used Breisbronn Mini Lasagne pasta, authentic German noodles with eggs. For a plant-based version, use the eggless pasta of your choice, but make sure that there is enough texture for pesto to coat it.

  Prepare pasta of your choice, mix with pesto and serve:

  Enjoy your fresh and flavorful Basil Walnut Almond Pesto!
  

Notes

I usually combine 1 cup of pesto with 6 cups of cooked pasta when serving. This ratio is up to you and should be adjusted to taste.

Storing pesto is easy. For immediate use, please keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To extend its shelf life, you can freeze the pesto in small containers or ice cube trays for up to three months. This method allows you to conveniently portion out the pesto as needed, maintaining its fresh, vibrant flavor.

Foods that pair well with this pesto include pasta, chicken, fish, and roasted vegetables. It also complements cheeses like mozzarella and ricotta, enhancing their creamy textures with bold, herbaceous notes.

Keyword Basil Pesto,, Fresh Pesto, Homemade Pesto, Pesto Pasta, Pesto Recipe, Walnut Almond Pesto Recipe