Classic pesto recipe

Name: Classic pesto
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 30g pine nuts; ½ garlic clove; ½ tsp sea salt; 30g pack fresh basil, leaves picked; 20g Parmesan, finely grated; 5 tbsp olive oil

Pesto is a classic Italian favourite – and this easy recipe takes just 10 minutes to whizz together for a vibrant sauce. Stir through pasta, spread it on pizza as an alternative to tomato sauce, or use to coat meat and fish for maximum flavour.

See method

Serves 4
10 mins to prepare
201 calories / serving

Gluten-free

Shop your ingredients

Tesco Wholefoods Pine Nuts 100G
30g pine nuts
£3.95
£39.50/kg
Tesco Large Garlic
½ garlic clove
£0.50
£0.50/each
Saxa Fine Sea Salt 350G
½ tsp sea salt
£1.90
£5.43/kg
Tesco Fresh Cut Basil 30G
Aldi Price Match
30g pack fresh basil, leaves picked
£0.50
£16.67/kg
Tesco Grated Parmigiano Reggiano 100G
20g Parmesan, finely grated
£2.80
£28.00/kg
Tesco Olive Oil 250Ml
5 tbsp olive oil
£3.10
£12.40/litre

Method

Place the pine nuts in a small frying pan and toast on a low heat until golden. Remove and allow to cool.
Blitz together the garlic, salt, basil and pine nuts in a small food processor to create a coarse paste (or use a pestle and mortar and pound the ingredients together).
Stir in the grated Parmesan and olive oil. If not using immediately, transfer to a small jar or bowl and pour a little oil over the top to cover (this prevents the pesto oxidising), store in the fridge and use within 3 days.