Classic Pesto Dressing

Brighten up your meals with this vibrant Classic Pesto Dressing, a quick and easy recipe packed with bold, fresh flavors! Made with aromatic fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and the perfect balance of freshly grated Parmesan, garlic, and zesty lemon juice, this creamy dressing is a versatile staple you'll want to drizzle on salads, pasta, grilled vegetables, or even sandwiches. Ready in just 10 minutes, this no-cook recipe highlights the use of extra-virgin olive oil and a food processor for effortless blending into a smooth, luxurious texture. Perfect for meal prepping, this homemade pesto dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, ensuring you always have a burst of herby goodness at your fingertips.

Nutriscore Rating: 40/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cup Pine nuts
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground

Directions

Step 1

Start by toasting the pine nuts to enhance their flavor. Place them in a dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until they are golden brown, around 4-5 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Step 2

Add the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, and garlic cloves to a food processor. Pulse a few times until the mixture is coarsely chopped.

Step 3

Add the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the basil mixture.

Step 4

With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil through the feed tube. Continue to blend until the pesto is smooth and creamy. Stop at intervals to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.

Step 5

Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice if desired.

Step 6

Transfer the pesto dressing to a jar or airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Shake well before using.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(249.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1463.3

Total Fat 154.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.5g
Cholesterol 40mg	0%
Sodium 1864.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 9.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.9g	0%
Total Sugars 1.6g
Protein 22.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 510.4mg	0%
Iron 3.4mg	0%
Potassium 375.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 91.7%

Protein: 5.9%

Carbs: 2.4%