Walnut Pesto Paula Deen
Bring vibrant flavors to your table with Paula Deen's Walnut Pesto recipe, a delicious twist on the classic Italian sauce. This quick and easy pesto combines fragrant toasted walnuts, freshly picked basil leaves, sharp Parmesan cheese, and zesty lemon juice for a nutty, herbaceous spread that comes together in just 15 minutes. The creamy texture is achieved by blending high-quality extra-virgin olive oil with aromatic garlic and a hint of peppery seasoning, making it a versatile topping for pasta, grilled meats, or crusty bread. Perfect for meal prepping, this walnut pesto can be stored for up to a week, ensuring you have a burst of gourmet flavor ready for any dish. Whip up this crowd-pleasing recipe to elevate your everyday meals with minimal effort!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup walnuts
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 0.75 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Directions
Step 1
Place the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Step 2
In a food processor, combine the toasted walnuts, fresh basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves. Pulse several times to break down the ingredients into a coarse mixture.
Step 3
With the processor running on low speed, slowly stream in the extra-virgin olive oil. Continue blending until a smooth, creamy consistency is achieved. Scrape down the sides of the processor bowl as needed.
Step 4
Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the mixture. Pulse a few more times to incorporate the seasoning evenly throughout the pesto.
Step 5
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your preference.
Step 6
Transfer the pesto to an airtight container. It can be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. To preserve freshness, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top of the pesto before sealing the container.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (456.1g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2718.0 |
| Total Fat 281.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 48.0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 56.6g | |
| Cholesterol 80mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2548.7mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 24.2g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 10.0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 3.9g | |
| Protein 52.5g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1073.5mg | 0% |
| Iron 5.1mg | 0% |
| Potassium 743.0mg | 0% |
Source of Calories