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    Home » Dinner

    Easy Walnut Pesto Recipe

    Published: Jun 26, 2018 · by Elizabeth Waterson · This post may contain affiliate links, which may pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting Confessions of a Baking Queen!

    Jump to Recipe
    easy walnut pesto recipe served in a small bowl with a gold spoon on a white marble surface with a block of parmesan cheese and basil leaves

    This easy walnut pesto recipe is made with just 5 ingredients for a flavorful sauce! Stirred into greek yogurt, on its own, mixed with some lemon juice or a cream sauce this easy walnut pesto is delicious! 

    easy walnut pesto recipe served in a small bowl with a gold spoon on a white marble surface with a block of parmesan cheese and basil leaves

    Last week my auntie had a party while hanging out in her backyard I saw her overflowing basil plant, naturally I asked if I could clip some! 🙂 She let me take as much as I wanted. There truly is nothing like the smell of fresh basil. Simply delicious. I knew I wanted to make pesto. While I love my Classic Basil Pesto recipe I knew I wanted to experiment with walnuts. I have walnuts almost every morning so I always have a good supply on hand.

    What nuts can be used in pesto?

    Lots of nuts. While most often people use pine nuts other nuts are swapped in. Most often I see recipes calling for pine nuts, walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and pecans.

    Can you put walnuts in pesto?

    Totally this recipe uses walnuts, I love the flavor and taste of walnuts so for me this is a win-win.

    What can you use instead of basil in pesto?

    Lots of people make spinach pesto or kale pesto.

    Easy Walnut Pesto Recipe fresh basil just picked sitting in a bowl of water

    How do you make walnut pesto?

    In a food processor or powerful blender add the parmesan and walnuts. I always grate my parmesan fresh, so much more flavorful. This is my favorite cheese grater and it comes with a container that fits on the bottom for easy storage and grating.

    Mix the nuts and cheese for 30 seconds-1 minute, or until the walnuts are blended into very small pieces. Add in basil leaves and garlic. Mix until fully combined.

    ingredients all laid out in glass bowl on a white surface
    first step of the recipe, walnuts and cheese being blended together in a small food processor next to a bowl of basil leaves, bowl of oil, and garlic

    The pesto will be very thick if using a food processor with the mixture on low drizzle in the olive oil if using a blender just add it. You may want more or a little less olive oil depending on how chunky you like your pesto.

    walnuts and cheese being blended in a small food processor on a white surface next to a bowl of basil leaves
    fresh basil leaves in food processor on a white surface

    Can you freeze pesto?

    Of course, I often freeze it in small containers so I can have a fresh batch for dinner any day. Once you have made your pesto store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze in ice cube tray or mini containers for future use. Using an ice tray is also a great way to store the pesto. Just an FYI If the pesto sits out it will darken in color.

    Walnut Pesto being made in a food processor with the lid off on a white surface
    Walnut Pesto made and stored in a small square plastic container on a white surface next to a block of cheese, fresh basil leaves, and bowl of pesto
    Walnut Pesto stored in a small square plastic container with a blue lid on a white surface next to a block of cheese, fresh basil leaves, and bowl of pesto

    Recipes to use this walnut pesto in?

    • Chicken Pesto Mac & Cheese
    • Light Pesto Chicken Salad
    • Feta Pesto Sundried Tomato Dip

    ★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

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    easy walnut pesto recipe served in a small bowl with a gold spoon on a white marble surface with a block of parmesan cheese and basil leaves

    Easy Walnut Pesto Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    This easy walnut pesto recipe is made with just 5 ingredients for a flavorful sauce! Stirred into greek yogurt, on its own, mixed with some lemon juice or a cream sauce this easy walnut pesto is delicious! 

    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 12oz 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1- 1.5oz Freshly Grated Parmesan
    • 3.5oz Walnuts (mine were roasted, either way, works)
    • 3.5oz Fresh Basil Leaves
    • 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
    • 5oz Extra Virgin Olive Oil

    Instructions

    1. In a food processor or powerful blender add the parmesan and walnuts. Mix for 30 seconds-1 minute, or until the walnuts are blended into very small pieces. Add in basil leaves and garlic. Mix until fully combined.
    2. The pesto will be very thick if using a food processor with the mixture on low drizzle in the olive oil if using a blender just add it. You may want more or a little less olive oil depending on how chunky you like your pesto. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze in ice cube tray or mini containers for future use.

    Equipment

    food processor

    Food Processor

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    oxo food scale

    OXO Kitchen Scale

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    Notes

    *Basil Pine Nut Pesto Recipe Here

    • Author: Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen
    • Prep Time: 10
    • Category: Sauce
    • Method: Process
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Keywords: walnut pesto recipe, how to make walnut pesto, easy walnut pesto recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @confessionsofabakingqueen on Instagram and hashtag it #cbqbakes

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    1. kat says

      June 28, 2018 at 12:59 am

      yummmm!!! cant wait to make it

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        June 28, 2018 at 1:05 am

        Thanks Kat! You will love it !

        Reply
    2. Albert Bevia says

      June 28, 2018 at 8:15 am

      I also eat walnuts almost every morning too with my greek yogurt so I know I will love this pesto! lucky you your auntie has such a huge basil plant!

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        June 30, 2018 at 9:58 pm

        Walnuts are the best!! Thanks for stopping by Albert 🙂

        Reply

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    Waterson, Elizabeth Cropped Size Photo CAke copy 2

    Hiya! I am Elizabeth Waterson, welcome to my treat-filled site. After spending 15 years in the restaurant industry and growing up baking, I wanted to share my love of baking with you all. My step-by-step tutorials will help you learn how to bake at home. Confessions of a Baking Queen (CBQ) has been featured in CBS LA, HuffPost Taste, BuzzFeed, Taste of Home, and more! Here you will find loads of sweet recipes with a few savory ones for good measure. Feel free to message me with any questions! Happy Baking! 

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