A rich and earthy, nutty Basil Pesto Salad Dressing that is perfect served with green salads or pasta. Slightly salty from the cheese and garlicky it has a really addicting flavor.

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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.

What makes this recipe so yummy

• 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 vinaigrette, 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.

Groceries you'll need: 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.

Recipe walkthrough: 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.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

• 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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Great Ways To Use This Pesto Salad Dressing

• Pour over a great leafy salad.
• As a dip - for celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, cheese sticks, vegetables etc.
• Mix into freshly cooked pasta and quinoa.
• Stir a little into potato salads.

Necessary gear: Equipment

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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.

Similar recipes I think you'll love

• Late Summer Pasta Salad
• Tuna Pasta Salad
• Southern Seafood Salad
• Cracker Barrel Kale Salad
• Summer Pesto Pasta Salad

How to store leftovers

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.

Mel's kitchen notes

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.

If you’ve tried this Pesto Dressing Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!

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