Large Batch Pesto Recipe for Easy Meal Prep and Parties

If you love the vibrant, fresh flavors of homemade pesto but often find yourself making just a small jar that disappears too quickly, this large batch pesto recipe is your new best friend. Whether you’re prepping for a party, meal prepping for the week, or simply want to have a versatile sauce ready to enhance any meal, making pesto in bulk saves time and keeps your fridge stocked with a delicious, nutrient-packed condiment.

This recipe balances the classic ingredients you know and love, while scaling up to serve a crowd or to freeze in portions for later. With just a handful of staples like fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese, you’ll whip up a flavorful, aromatic pesto that brightens pasta, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, and more.

Plus, making it at home means you control the freshness and quality, avoiding preservatives and excess oil often found in store-bought versions.

Ready to dive into pesto bliss? Let’s get started with everything you need to know to master this large batch pesto recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This large batch pesto recipe is perfect for basil lovers who want to enjoy the fresh, nutty, and garlicky sauce without the hassle of making it every few days. Here’s why it’s a kitchen essential:

• Time-Saving: Make a big batch once and have pesto ready for weeks.
• Versatile: Use it as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, dip, or drizzle on grilled veggies and proteins.
• Fresh & Flavorful: Made with high-quality ingredients for a vibrant taste.
• Customizable: Adjust nuts, cheese, or oil to suit your dietary needs and flavor preferences.
• Freezable: Portion and freeze for longer storage without losing flavor.

If you want to explore more delicious plant-based recipes, check out Vegan Recipes No Tofu: Delicious Plant-Based Meals for inspiration.

Ingredients

• 6 cups fresh basil leaves (packed, washed and dried)
• 1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup pine nuts (lightly toasted)
• 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 6 large garlic cloves (peeled)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Juice of 1 lemon (optional, for brightness and preservation)

Equipment

• Food processor or high-speed blender
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Large mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Glass jars or airtight containers for storage
• Toaster or skillet for toasting pine nuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Toast the pine nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, stir the pine nuts frequently until golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Set aside to cool. This step enhances their nutty flavor but can be skipped if preferred raw.
2. Prepare the basil: Wash the basil leaves thoroughly and pat dry. Excess water can make pesto watery, so ensure they’re well dried.
3. Add garlic and pine nuts to the food processor: Pulse the 6 garlic cloves and the cooled pine nuts until finely chopped.
4. Add basil leaves and pulse: Gradually add the basil leaves and pulse the processor several times until the mixture is coarsely chopped.
5. Stream in olive oil: With the processor running on low speed, slowly pour in the 1 1/2 cups olive oil until the pesto is well blended but still has some texture. Scrape down the sides as needed.
6. Mix in cheese and seasonings: Add the Parmesan cheese, sea salt, and black pepper. Pulse a few more times until combined. If using, add the lemon juice to brighten the flavor and help preserve the pesto.
7. Taste and adjust: Taste your pesto and adjust salt, pepper, or cheese to your liking.
8. Store properly: Transfer the pesto to clean glass jars or airtight containers. To prevent browning, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on the top of the pesto before sealing.
9. Refrigerate or freeze: Store in the fridge for up to one week or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.

Tips & Variations

“For an extra burst of flavor, try swapping out pine nuts for walnuts or almonds. You can also make a vegan version by replacing Parmesan with nutritional yeast!”

• Nut options: Use walnuts, almonds, or cashews instead of pine nuts to change the flavor profile and save on cost.
• Cheese alternatives: For a dairy-free pesto, substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan-style cheese.
• Herb blends: Mix basil with fresh parsley, arugula, or spinach for a twist on the classic.
• Storage hacks: Freeze pesto in ice cube trays for easy portioning. Once frozen, transfer cubes to a freezer bag.
• Adjust consistency: Add more olive oil or a splash of water to thin pesto if needed.
• Garlic intensity: Adjust garlic cloves based on your flavor preference. Roasted garlic can add a sweeter, milder note.

Nutrition Facts

Note: Nutrition information is approximate and may vary based on exact ingredients used.

Serving Suggestions

This pesto is incredibly versatile! Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy it:

• Tossed with pasta: Mix pesto with your favorite cooked pasta for a quick and flavorful meal.
• Spread on sandwiches or wraps: Use as a spread on sandwiches, paninis, or wraps for an herby kick.
• Drizzle over roasted vegetables: Add a spoonful of pesto to roasted veggies for extra depth and freshness.
• Dip for bread or crackers: Serve as a dip alongside fresh bread, crudités, or crackers.
• Pizza base sauce: Swap traditional tomato sauce with pesto for a delightful twist on pizza night.
• Enhance soups: Stir a spoonful into soups like minestrone or vegetable soup for extra richness.

For more creative ways to incorporate fresh greens into your meals, check out this Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas.

Conclusion

Making a large batch of pesto is a fantastic way to keep your kitchen stocked with a delicious, fresh, and healthful sauce that elevates countless meals. This recipe balances the classic flavors of basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan with the convenience of bulk preparation.

Whether you freeze it for future use or enjoy it throughout the week on pasta, sandwiches, or roasted veggies, this pesto will add a bright, herbaceous flavor to your dishes.

By preparing pesto in advance, you save precious time on busy days and avoid relying on store-bought versions loaded with preservatives. Plus, you can easily customize the recipe to suit your taste or dietary preferences.

Don’t forget to explore more fantastic recipes to complement your pesto, like the hearty Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide or the comforting Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food.

Happy cooking and enjoy your homemade pesto adventure!

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