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Lemon basil pesto pasta on a lemon platter with two salad spoons , a star, crepe mrytle flowers on a pink back drop with life is as series of magic and pasta napkin

Basil Lemon Pesto | Easy 5-minute Pasta Sauce Recipe

Genevieve Jerome
Basil Lemon Pesto recipe is an easy and delicious, light pasta sauce recipe that's perfect when you want something easy but also healthy with minimal ingredients. Made with fresh basil, cilantro, olive oil, lemon, shallots, and parmesan, this is one pasta sauce recipe you'll be making on repeat.
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Pasta Recipes, Easy Dinners
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 people
Calories 232 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup cubed parmesan
  • 1 chopped shallot
  • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic
  • 1 bunch chopped cilantro (fresh herbs)
  • 1 bunch chopped fresh basil (fresh herbs)
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 box pasta of choice

Instructions
 

  • Cut the parmesan into chunks and add them to the food processor on the low setting and process until the parmesan is finely ground. 
  • Next, add the chopped shallots and garlic to the finely ground parmesan and process on the low setting until combined. 
  • Add the fresh cilantro and fresh basil to the parmesan mixture and pulse on the medium setting in the food processor.
  • Add the fresh lemon zest and lemon juice to the basil lemon pesto in the food processor and mix on the medium setting until well combined. This will give your basil lemon pesto its signature flavor.
  • Add the olive oil to the lemon basil pesto sauce in the food processor and process until all of the EVOO has combined into the pesto sauce.
  • Boil some water, make any pasta you want, and cook until al-dente. Top with this gorgeous fresh basil lemon pesto pasta sauce and enjoy!

Notes

How to use your Pesto

  • There are so many ways you can use homemade pesto, but my favorites are as a pasta sauce, on top of garlic bread with this bright pesto, or use it on crackers with some cheese as a yummy appetizer. You can top fresh veggies like broccoli or squash with easy pesto for the best flavor. Basil lemon pesto chicken is always a crowd-please or even on steak for a easy recipe. You can also top the pesto with pine nuts if that's your jam.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 6gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 269mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 291IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 207mgIron: 0.4mg
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