Simple Basil Pesto with Walnuts, a rich sauce that can be eaten with bread and crackers or tossed onto cold or hot pasta or any protein to complete a meal.
Basil Walnut Pesto
How are your gardens doing? My little window sill has been the perfect sunny spot for mint and basil.
In fact, both herbs grew like crazy for being in such confined pots. I transplanted the mint to my courtyard where I have half of a wooden wine barrel that I use for a garden among some flowers.
Wish the little mint leaves luck!
Herbs that rely on my green thumb don’t always make it because I often forget an essential ingredient to a flourishing garden….water!
It seems that the plants that are plopped in my kitchen get watered as soon as they look a little droopy.
I can’t ignore them since they are right above the sink where the dish washing happens!
Pesto With Fresh Basil
The basil was looking vibrant and smelt full of flavor, so instead of replanting it I thought I better use it up while it’s so fresh!
Pesto finger licking full of delicious flavor, it’s healthy, and easy to make using simple ingredients.
All you need is cheese, basil, olive oil and nuts. Traditionally pesto is made with pine nuts, but I make mine using walnuts.
California Walnuts sent me a gorgeous supply of walnuts and lucky for me the timing was perfect to use in this pesto sauce!
For this recipe I used a 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts, so I will have more tasty recipes coming to use up the rest of those walnuts.
What To Serve Pesto Sauce With
Basil Pesto with walnuts can be served like a dip on crackers or bread, and it can also liven up any pasta dish.
In addition to a simple sip, pesto sauce is also delicious with fish and chicken.
I have several other dishes that you can use this pesto for. Be sure to check out these recipes:
Basil Pesto with Walnuts
Simple pesto sauce made with fresh basil blended with walnuts. Super versatile sauce from a dip to a condiment on protein dish.
Ingredients
- 2 cups basil, packed
- 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup parmesan-reggiano cheese
- 3- 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 servings Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 196Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 173mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 4g
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
Cindi Bachtel
This pesto is so fun and easy to make. I love using the walnuts. My family really couldn’t tell the difference.
Sandra Shaffer
It sure is tasty! So glad you enjoyed this pesto!
Healing Tomato
Lovely pesto recipe.
Sarah @ The Chef Next Door
Pesto is one of my favorite things and yours is gorgeous, Sandra! So vibrant and bright. I can’t wait to make this and eat it with all the things! 🙂
Ronda
My basil did not do well this year but my mint on the other hand is a different story. I’ll be pinning this for next year when I hope to have a bumper crop again.
Sandra Shaffer
Walnuts are a great alternative to pin nuts. Actually, I prefer walnuts!
Sandra Shaffer
You will come up with a fantastic meal using pesto! That I’m certain of 🙂
Sandra Shaffer
A little basil goes a long way. It’s very flavorful.
Choc Chip Uru
Mmm, walnuts are my favourite so this pesto is even better 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Sandra Shaffer
Perfect duo, indeed! Thanks for stopping by CCU!
priya
Pesto sauce looks so refreshing! I love pesto with bread and will try this soon!
Sandra Shaffer
Slices of a baguette is delicious. I also like to sandwich a piece of brie between a few pieces too.
shelby
Gorgeous photos Sandra! I absolutely love homemade pesto. Fresh is always best and what gorgeous colors!
Sandra Shaffer
Thanks so much, Shelby! I couldn’t let my basil go to waste. This was a perfect use for it.
Aunt Bee
I love pesto so much! I craved it during my first pregnancy! I haven’t had pesto with walnuts before! Your photos are stunning and I can’t wait to try this recipe! <3
Sandra Shaffer
Thanks, Brandi! I craved pineapple. So funny how food can bring back those memories (a long time ago for me 🙂 )
Norma Chang
I have walnuts in my pantry, basil in the garden and garlic in storage, just need to get some parmesan cheese when I go shopping.
Sandra Shaffer
Perfect! I know your basil is beautiful. Your garden always looks so vibrant.
Jodie
We love pesto! I’m definitely going to have to give this a try!
Sandra Shaffer
Would love to hear what you prepare it with! So many ways you can incorporate pesto into a meal!
[email protected] Tastes Good
I tend to forget the water too! I have a terribly brown thumb that I’m trying to improve! The pesto looks lovely!
Sandra Shaffer
Thank you, Marion! I need a few more hours in my week to play in the garden. One day…
Mary Ellen
This looks so delicious and I love your photos!
Sandra Shaffer
Thank you, Mary Ellen! Pesto is one of my favorite sauces to add to pasta and fish!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
That pesto looks so fresh and *alive*. I want some right now on a sandwich with roasted pumpkin and feta cheese. 🙂
Sandra Shaffer
Oh, that sounds like a delicious use of pesto! Yum!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
Gorgeous photos! We make pesto all the time and basil and walnuts is our old standby. You can’t go wrong with that combo. All of the farms here are having problems with downy mildew so no one has it anymore. And my plants aren’t looking so good either. It was a disappointing basil season. 🙁 At least we got quite a bit packed away in the freezer before the end.
Sandra Shaffer
Oh, no mildew is not good! I haven’t frozen basil before. I may need to freeze some since I have quite a bit. Curious to know if the leaves turn brown in the freezer.
Bam's Kitchen
Your photos are just stunning. We love pesto at home it goes great with so many dishes. I hope mine looks as vibrant as yours when I try your recipe. Take Care, BAM
Sandra Shaffer
Thank you, Bam! If you don’t use it all in one meal be sure to put it in an air tight container so the pesto doesn’t turn gray!