Delicious Budget Pesto

Have you ever found pine nuts at a price that doesn’t make your stomach lurch a bit?

Me neither.

Good news is you don’t have to omit homemade pesto if you don’t want to pay for it! This version includes wallet-friendly, toasted walnuts and a kick of nutritional yeast for added plant-based protein. 

Lets Make It!

  • 1C chopped walnuts
  • 2C fresh basil leaves
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1t salt
  • 1/2t pepper
  • 1/4C parmesan cheese
  • OR substitute with 1T nutritional yeast
  • 1/2C Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  1. Roughly chop the walnuts and place them in a dry medium-size saute’ pan, tossing occasionally until lightly toasted. Set aside to cool.
  2. Get out your trusty food processor and add all the ingredients except the olive oil. Turn it on low setting or pulse it a few times to incorporate the ingredients.
  3. Slowly drizzle the olive oil in until the pesto moves around the food processor easily and as a spreadable consistency. Add more or less EVOO as needed. 
  4. Spatula it into a glass container with an air-tight seal to use all week!
  5. I use pesto on EVERYTHING.
  • Spread it on avocado toast
  • Dip roasted veggies in them
  • Spread it on fish or chicken
  • Use as a sauce for spaghetti squash spaghetti!

Helpful Hint: Basil grows phenomenally both indoors and out. Basil at the store is about $3 for 10 leaves. That’s straight up thievery! 

Invest in your pesto-making adventures and plant 1-2 plants in your backyard or in an indoor pot. 

Scroll to Top