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Pesto pasta serving with tomatoes and herbs
Mirjana

Basil Walnut Almond Pesto Recipe

5 from 2 votes
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!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 3 cups
Course: Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method Notes

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)

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. Wash basil leaves, and gently pat dry between paper towels.
  3. Prepare Ingredients
    Basil-walnuts-almonds-tomatoes-oil
  4. Chop the garlic, almonds, and walnuts separately in a chopper or food processor.
  5. 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.
  6. 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!
    Pesto with pasta with tomatoes and garnish

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.