A Quick Basil Pesto Recipe As We Say Goodbye to Summer Herbs Sauces/Condiments Pasta

If your basil plants are beginning to give in to the cooler fall weather, you know it's time to make a last harvest. Basil pesto is the perfect way to honor those basil plants. This easy basil pesto recipe uses sunflower seeds instead of pricey pine nuts. We love that!

Use this basil pesto recipe for pasta dishes, pizza, sandwiches (mix it with mayo for a creamy sandwich spread!) or as an herb sauce for meat dishes. You can also freeze the pesto in ice cube trays for later use, so get those kitchen shears and get to cutting down those basil plants!

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Cuisine: Italian / American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Here's how to make it: 

1. In a blender, blend basil leaves, Parmesan, garlic, sunflower seeds, salt and pepper.
2. Once roughly chopped, slowly stream in olive oil while the blender is on. Process until smooth (for a thinner pesto, add more olive oil until you reach your preferred consistency).

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