Quick Pesto Sauce Recipe (Without Pine Nuts)

a white bowl with pine nut free pesto, tomatoes, and bread sticks.

5 from 5 ratings

Quick Pesto Sauce Recipe (Without Pine Nuts)

This quick homemade pesto sauce recipe without pine nuts comes together with only six simple ingredients. Who needs store-bought when homemade pesto is easy, delicious, and is ready in about 10 minutes.

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Total Time15

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: easy pesto, homemade pesto, pesto recipe without pine nuts, pesto without nuts

Servings:

Author: Sarah Cook

Equipment

Ingredients

1/4 cup nuts walnuts {almonds, cashews, sunflower or pumpkin seeds work too}
1/4 tsp olive oil
2 cups fresh basil
1/3 cup shredded parmesan
3 cloves garlic
1/8 tsp kosher salt
1/3 cup olive oil

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a heavy skillet on medium heat, toast nuts with olive oil until they are warm and fragrant (~5 minutes).
1/4 cup nuts walnuts, 1/4 tsp olive oil
In a food processor, pulse the nuts/seeds into small pieces.
Add the basil, cheese, garlic, and salt and process until the mixture is finely chopped. Scrape down the sides as needed.
2 cups fresh basil, 1/3 cup shredded parmesan, 3 cloves garlic, 1/8 tsp kosher salt
With the machine running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the mixture has come together.
1/3 cup olive oil

Notes

You’ll have a better overall consistency if you pulse the nuts/seeds in a food processor before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Pesto will oxidize (brown) very quickly after it’s made. Either make it right before you intend to serve it or immediately transfer it to the fridge in an air-tight container.

Nutrition