A rich and earthy, nutty Basil Pesto Dressing that is perfect served with salad or pasta. Slightly salty from the cheese and garlicky it has a really addicting flavor.
It's quite light with fresh flavors so ends up being a really great dressing or sauce for a summer time dish.
Mix with some of your favorite pasta, or drizzle over a salad as a dressing - Pesto dressing is really versatile.
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❤️ Why you'll love it
- It's a light and healthy dressing with 'good-for-you' simple ingredients.
- Make this easy dressing in less than 5 minutes with a simple recipe.
- There's no better flavor than fresh homemade pesto, much better than store-bought pesto.
- Pour over a chicken breast, (you will thank me).
- Make pasta salads or fresh salads better with this fresh pesto sauce.
- Get more leafy greens into your diet.
🧅 Ingredients
- Fresh Basil Leaves
- Pine Nuts
- Parmesan Cheese
- Garlic
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
🥣 Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Step 1: Bruise the basil.
- Step 2: Mix all ingredients.
- Step 3: Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 4: Serve over a salad or pasta.
Hint: Bruising the leaves of the basil is the best way to bring out its best flavor.
🔄 Substitutions and Variations
- White Wine Vinegar - instead of lemon juice.
- Red Wine Vinegar - instead of lemon juice.
- Balsamic Vinegar - instead of lemon juice.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - instead of lemon juice.
- Greek Yogurt - add a touch of this to make it creamy.
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🔌 Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I love to use my blender to make my pesto dressing, the Ninja blender is an amazing high-speed blender.
Any food processor though will work well.
I have an affiliate link in the recipe card below.
📘 Related Recipes
- Late Summer Pasta Salad
- Tuna Pasta Salad
- Southern Seafood Salad
- Cracker Barrel Kale Salad
- Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
🧊 Storage
Store any leftover pesto in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Add a layer of olive oil on the top to keep out the oxygen.
💡 Tips
Expert Tip: A green Pesto Dressing freezes very well. I like to add to an ice cube tray and freeze that way. Then empty the little blocks of pesto into a ziplok bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Then take out blocks as you need them.
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Pesto Dressing
A delicious pesto dressing full of nutty, garlic flavors. Perfect on salads, especially pasta.
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Fresh Basil, bruised
- 4 Large Cloves Garlic
- ¼ Cup Pine Nuts
- ¾ Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- ¾ Cup Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Bruise the basil, either using a mortar and pestle or you could add to a resealable bag and crush with a rolling pin.
- Add the bruised basil, garlic cloves, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, olive oil and lemon juice to a blender and blend until well mixed.
- Season with salt and pepper and stir again.
- Stir in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
You can adjust the thickness of the pesto dressing by adding more olive oil to taste.
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Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 168Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 5mgSodium 202mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 2g
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