Pepita Basil Pesto

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Pepita Basil Pesto will be your new favorite go-to condiment. Made with fresh ingredients, this pesto is the perfect addition to everything from pasta and pizza to sandwiches and grilled meats.

overhead shot of dish of pesto with basil leaves and lemon on the side

Table of Contents hide

1 Why this recipe is so good

2 Ingredient notes

3 Step-by-step instructions

4 Ideas for using pesto

5 Storing

6 Frequently asked questions

7 Equipment

8 Related recipes

9 Craving more?

10 Pepita Basil Pesto

Why this recipe is so good

Pesto is one of my favorite ingredients. It's so easy to make and is full of fresh, bright flavor. This pepita pesto is made with pepitas in place of pine nuts and the result is absolutely delicious!

A handful of fresh ingredients creates the most flavor-packed condiment. Pesto is the easiest way to add a punch of zingy freshness to so many dishes.
This pesto blends together in just minutes! A small food processor or blender is all you need.
It's so versatile. Most of the ingredients have substitutions so this recipe can easily be adapted based on what you have on hand.

Try spooning this pesto over grilled chicken or steak or stir into sauces. Use as a sauce for roasted cauliflower. Make pesto chicken pasta salad or toss the pesto with pasta in this Pancetta and Pesto Pasta or this Pesto Pappardelle.

small spoon in dish of pesto with a few pepitas scattered on the side

Ingredient notes

Pesto only requires a handful of ingredients. And many of them can be easily substituted based on what you have in your pantry.

Fresh basil - Basil is traditional in pesto, but spinach, arugula, or kale can also be used.
Nuts - I used roasted and salted pepitas in this pesto. Pepitas are a "hull-less" seed from certain varieties of pumpkin. Pine nuts, which are traditional in pesto, and walnuts are both great options.
Olive oil is traditional, but you can also use avocado or grapeseed oil.
Garlic - Garlic adds tremendous flavor. Adjust the amount to suit your personal taste.
Parmesan cheese - A classic addition to pesto for its salty bite. You can also use Romano or Asiago cheese.
Lemon juice - Don't skip the lemon juice! The acid adds a brightness that rounds out the pesto.
Salt and pepper round out the flavors - season to taste.

Step-by-step instructions

See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.

Grab your food processor and whip this up in three easy steps:

Add the basil, pepitas, and garlic to the bowl of a food processor and blend until finely chopped.
Add the lemon juice and Parmesan and blend to incorporate.
With the food processor running, drizzle the oil in, blending until the mixture has a spreadable, spoonable consistency. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Food processor bowl with pesto ingredients blended together.

Ideas for using pesto

Once you try this pesto, you will be reaching for this green gold over and over again.

Drizzle over a freshly baked pizza.
Stir into mayonnaise for a bold sandwich spread.
Toss with roasted vegetables like this Pesto Cauliflower.
Stir into jarred pasta sauce to give it a homemade taste.
Stir pesto into scrambled eggs to jazz up your morning meal.

Storing

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Frequently asked questions

Are pepitas the same as pine nuts?

No, they are not the same thing; pepitas are the seeds of pumpkins and pine nuts are the seeds of pine trees. Pepitas can be used as an inexpensive substitution for pine nuts while still providing a sweet mild flavor.

Can you substitute pepitas for pine nuts in pesto?

Absolutely! Just try this recipe for the delicious answer.

What nuts are best with pesto?

Try pesto with walnuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans, macadamia nuts, or pumpkin seeds (pepitas). Choose what you love or have readily available.

To view the web story for this recipe, check it out here.

Equipment

Food processor | Juicer

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