I love pesto and this easy walnut pesto is no exception! It is a great alternative to the traditional pine nut pesto that we are all used to. I love pine nuts but they can be expensive and not always readily available so I created this walnut pesto recipe. Walnuts are less expensive and more readily available. I also love the meatiness and flavor the walnuts give to this pesto.
When you heat this pesto over high heat it will toast a little from the walnuts and I love the flavor. I also add a pinch of sugar to this pesto for balance, walnuts are not as sweet as pine nuts so you need a little sugar to get the perfect balance. I also like to add a little lemon juice to brighten up and enhance the flavors.
If you wanted to make this vegan or dairy free then you can use nutritional yeast in equal amounts to obtain that cheesy undertone.
You can refrigerate this pesto for at least a week and most likely longer, I usually use it all up before that time but the oil and acids in this pesto will help preserve it.
This sauce is great on pasta like ravioli’s I have pictured, in lasagna, soups, sandwiches, pizzas, mix it with sour cream for a creamy pesto dip and let your imagination go wild with the possibilities.
Here are a few recipes I have that use pesto:
- Garlic Pesto Chicken RECIPE HERE
- Chicken Pesto Tortellini Soup RECIPE HERE
- Turkey and Pesto Stuffed Bell Peppers RECIPE HERE
- Eggplant and Red Pepper Pesto Gratin RECIPE HERE
- Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake RECIPE HERE
- Pesto Stuffed Eggplant RECIPE HERE
- Creamy Pesto Tomato Bake RECIPE HERE
- Basil Almond Pesto RECIPE HERE – alternative recipe to this walnut pesto
What you need to make this easy walnut pesto:
Makes roughly 1/2 cup
- 1 cup fresh basil loosely packed
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1 teaspoon garlic or 1 large clove
- generous pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- pinch sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- In a food processor, add basil, walnuts, garlic, salt, parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast, pinch of sugar and lemon juice and begin pulsing while you pour in the olive oil.
- Once it’s sufficiently blended it’s ready to go and can be used immediately.
Easy Walnut Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh basil loosely packed
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1 teaspoon garlic or 1 large clove
- generous pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- pinch sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- In a food processor, add basil, walnuts, garlic, salt, parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast, pinch of sugar and lemon juice and begin pulsing while you pour in the olive oil.
- Once it’s sufficiently blended it’s ready to go and can be used immediately.
Jacob Seegrist
Thursday 22nd of October 2020
So Freaking good!! I need to make This every night..lol