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Pesto is easily the simplest and most delicious ways to spice up a recipe. You can add it to pastas or sauces. Use it as a spread for sandwiches. Or use it as an addition to proteins. I have been buying jarred pesto for years and I’m here to tell you, firsthand, that it in NO WAY compares to homemade pesto. Especially this Lemon Arugula Pesto. Freshly made pesto is so much more vibrant than jarred pesto. It’s brighter, greener, and all around more delicious.

Typical pesto is made from basil, parmesan, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. This Lemon Arugula Pesto puts a spin on the traditional pesto with the substitution of arugula for some of the fresh basil, as well as an addition of lemon juice and lemon zest to brighten it up a little.

Pesto is super versatile. If you prefer spinach or kale to arugula, then, by all means, use spinach or arugula. Prefer limes to lemon? No problem. The pine nuts, however, are a little bit of a different story. Pine nuts are a little pricey, but pesto only requires a little amount (this recipe calls for 1/4 cup). If you do choose to substitute pine nuts, I would recommend walnuts.

Let me show you how I made this Lemon Arugula Pesto 👇🏻

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To a food processor (or blender), add 2/3 oz package of fresh basil, 2 cups arugula, zest of 1 lemon, the juice of 1/2 lemon, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup pine nuts, 3 peeled garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.

Pulse until combined.

With the food processor running on low, slowly add the olive oil. Blend until the pesto is smooth.

Taste for seasoning and add more salt, if desired.

And, yeah, so that’s it. Delicious, fresh, homemade pesto in about 10 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Storing your homemade pesto.

Store the pesto in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you’d like to prolong the length of your pesto storage, pesto freezes really well. The best way to freeze pesto is to pour it into an ice cube tray. Then simply pop out a cube or two when you need it.

These are the recommended products that I used to make this delicious recipe. These are not only products that I use, but products that I love.

Looking for other uses for your pesto? Check out this recipe 👇🏻

Have you tried this recipe? Thinking about it? I’d love to hear from you! Please leave me your thoughts below in the comment section.