Purple Basil Pesto

Indulge in the vibrant world of purple basil pesto, a delightful twist on the classic sauce that elevates any dish with its stunning color and rich flavor. This easy recipe combines fresh purple basil leaves with walnuts, garlic, and nutritional yeast to create a creamy, versatile condiment perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. Not only is this purple basil pesto budget-friendly by substituting pricey pine nuts, but it’s also naturally vegan, making it suitable for various dietary preferences. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply looking to add some flair to your meals, this small-batch purple basil pesto is sure to impress!

Prep Time10 mins

Course: Appetizers Cuisine: Italian Keyword: Feel free to swap walnuts for almonds or even sunflower seeds for different flavors. Adjust seasoning according to taste; more salt or nutritional yeast can enhance flavor complexity. Store leftover pesto in an airtight container topped with olive oil for freshness. Servings: Approximately 8 servings Calories: 100kcal Author: Tisha

Ingredients

1/2 cup purple basil leaves (tightly packed)
1 clove garlic (minced)
3/4 cup walnuts (or almonds)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Process the walnuts in a food processor until finely crumbly.
Add the purple basil leaves, minced garlic, olive oil, nutritional yeast, and salt. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
If a smoother texture is desired, add an additional tablespoon of olive oil and pulse again until achieved.

Nutrition