Lunch recipe · from the recipe book
Toasted Walnut Basil Pesto with Parmesan
A nutty, garlicky basil pesto with toasted walnuts, sharp Parmesan and a bright lemon finish, spoonable and rich for tossing with roasted or steamed vegetables.

- Skillet
- 20 min · 15 min hands-on
- Serves 4
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
- Up to 30 g carbs
- Sodium 600 mg or less
- Sat fat 4 g or less
- 500 calories or less
Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped50 gWalnutsroughly chopped
- 1⅔ cups leaves40 gFresh basilleaves only
- ⅓ cup grated30 gGrated Parmesan
- 2 cloves6 gGarlicpeeled
- 3½ tbsp45 gOlive oil
- 2 tsp10 gLemon juice
- 1½ tbsp20 gWater
- ¼ tsp0.5 gBlack pepper
- ⅛ tsp0.5 gSalt
Steps
- Set a dry skillet over medium-low heat, add the walnuts and toast, stirring often, for 4 to 5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Tip them onto a plate and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cooled walnuts to a food processor or blender and pulse until finely chopped.
- Add the basil and Parmesan and pulse until the basil is minced.
- With the machine running, pour in the olive oil in a slow stream, then add the lemon juice and the water and blend until spoonable but still a little textured.
- Season with the black pepper and salt, pulse once more and spoon over warm vegetables.
Contains: Milk, Tree nuts.
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Saved in the Every Helping recipe book on October 24, 2026.
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