• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bake Play Smile
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Shop
  • About Me
    • Meet Lucy
    • Work With Me
  • Contact me
  • Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Savoury Breads & Muffins
  • Salads & Sides
  • Soups
  • Bars Brownies & Slices
  • Cakes & Cupcakes
  • Christmas
  • Cookies
  • Desserts
  • Easter
  • Drinks
  • Healthy Treats
  • Sweet Breads & Muffins
  • Thermomix Recipes
  • Thermomix Cookies
  • Thermomix Bars Brownies & Slices
  • Thermomix Cakes & Cupcakes
  • Thermomix Chistmas Recipes
  • Healthy Thermomix Recipes
  • Thermomix Desserts
  • Thermomix Breads & Muffins
  • Thermomix Easter Recipes
  • Thermomix Lunch Box Recipes
  • Thermomix Main Meals
  • Thermomix Sides & Salads
  • Thermomix Soups
  • Recipes for Toddlers & Kids
  • Family Dinners
  • Healthy Snacks
  • Kids Parties
  • Freebies
  • Lunch Box Ideas
  • Sweet Treats
  • Extras
  • Baking 101 - Tips & Tricks
  • Blogger Resources
  • Recipe Videos
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Thermomix Recipes
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Thermomix Recipes » Thermomix Sides & Salads » Thermomix Pesto

    Thermomix Pesto

    Published: Aug 26, 2022 · Modified: Oct 23, 2022 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    Fresh green pesto with a small wooden spoon in a white ramekin.

    A simple and tasty Thermomix Pesto recipe made using fresh basil, parmesan cheese, garlic, olive oil and pine nuts.

    Ready in just 5 minutes, this pesto makes a delicious dip served with crackers, a healthy sauce for your favourite pasta dinner or pasta salad, or a yummy addition to baked chicken or salmon.

    Basil, pine nuts and parmesan crushed to a paste in a bowl.

    Once you've made your own homemade pesto, and taste the difference, you'll NEVER be able to go back to store-bought again!

    The BIG, fresh flavours are perfect for serving at a party with a cheese board, or as a sauce to your favourite pesto pasta for dinner, with chicken or salmon, stirred through any pasta salad recipe at a BBQ, or simply on it's own with veggie sticks (a favourite with the kids!)

    Why You're Going To Love This Thermomix Recipe

    Everyone's favourite basil pesto recipe couldn't possibly be any easier to make using the Thermomix!

    • 5 ingredients - this flavoursome classic Thermomix pesto recipe is made using fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, garlic and olive oil. The classic flavours of Italy!
    • Multiple ways to use - you can serve this simple pesto on a cheese board with crackers, stir it through your favourite pasta dinner or pasta salad, add it to baked chicken or salmon... however you like!
    • Packed full of flavour - thanks to the intensity of fresh basil, this tasty Thermomix pesto is absolutely FULL of big, fresh flavours.
    • Freezer-friendly - make it ahead of time and store in the fridge (see tips below) for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Such a handy condiment to have on hand and ready to go whenever you need!
    • Easy substitutions - feel free to substitute the fresh basil for rocket, kale or spinach and the pine nuts for cashews, almonds or walnuts. So many delicious combinations!
    A spoonful of green pesto.

    What You Need

    Just 5 ingredients are needed to make the ULTIMATE Thermomix Basil Pesto!

    Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

    The ingredients for basil pesto.
    • Basil - choose fresh basil leaves - dried basil will NOT work in this recipe! Alternatively, you could substitute the fresh basil for rocket, kale or spinach.
    • Pine nuts - these give the pesto its classic nutty flavour. Alternatively, you can substitute the pine nuts with cashews, almonds or walnuts if you wish.
    • Garlic - choose fresh garlic cloves or a store-bought minced garlic.
    • Parmesan cheese - this flavour packed cheese gives the perfect bite to my Thermomix pesto recipe. It's so quick and easy to grate in the Thermomix and much more economical to buy in a block.
    • Olive oil - choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
    • Salt & pepper - season to your taste.

    Equipment Required

    To make this pesto recipe you'll need a Thermomix machine (alternatively you can use a regular food processor or any other thermal cooking machine).

    This recipe is suitable for use in all of the Thermomix machine models.

    Step By Step Thermomix Instructions

    Just 2 simple steps are needed to make this healthy Thermomix basil pesto!

    Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

    Step 1 - Grate The Parmesan

    Place the parmesan cheese into the Thermomix bowl and mix until finely grated.

    Grated parmesan in a Thermomix bowl.

    Step 2 - Add The Remaining Ingredients

    Add the fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts and olive oil.

    Season with salt and pepper.

    The ingredients for basil pesto in a stainless Thermomix bowl.

    Mix until the pesto is completely combined and no large chunks remain.

    Pesto paste in a Thermomix bowl.

    Tips For Making Pesto In A Thermomix

    The Thermomix makes preparing pesto an absolute breeze!

    • Grate the parmesan first - this allows the parmesan to be finely grated while the pine nuts still have the classic pesto texture.
    • Use a whole garlic clove or pre-minced garlic - because the blades of the Thermomix are so sharp, you can place a whole garlic clove directly into the bowl and it will finely mince it. Alternatively, you can use pre-minced garlic from the supermarket.
    • Scrape down the sides of the bowl - partway through mixing, scape down the sides of the bowl. This ensures that all of the ingredients combine evenly.
    • Place the MC (measuring cup) on top before mixing - this stops any splatters!
    An overhead shot of basil pesto in a white ramekin.

    FAQ's

    All your Thermomix pesto questions answered!

    Is this pesto recipe healthy?

    Absolutely! Pesto is packed full of Vitamins A and C, as well as calcium and iron. It contains healthy fats from the nuts and olive oil. As well, basil leaves are thought to be good for digestion, and the anti-inflammatory properties of basil can help lower risk of heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions.

    What does pesto taste like?

    It has a fresh herby flavour from the basil, combined with the flavoursome parmesan cheese, the nuttiness from the pine nuts, along with a garlicky hint. Choose a good quality olive oil for the best tasting pesto.

    Can I use different nuts?

    Yes! You can substitute the pine nuts with walnuts, cashews or almonds if you prefer.

    What can I use in place of the basil?

    Rocket, kale or baby spinach all make great options in pesto!

    Expert Tips

    • How to avoid the pesto turning brown - the pesto will turn brown when exposed to air. Therefore store pesto in a completely airtight container in the fridge. If your container is not airtight, add a thin layer of olive oil over the top of the pesto when storing in the fridge.
    • Storing - store the pesto in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • Freezing - you can freeze Thermomix pesto for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
    • Equipment - if you don't have a Thermomix, you can make this pesto using a food processor.
    Pine nuts next to a bowl of green nutty condiment.

    More Thermomix Recipes

    Put your Thermomix to work making these delicious sauces and condiments!

    • A creamy bechamel sauce in a white jug.
      Thermomix Bechamel Sauce
    • A bowl of hummus dip with olive oil drizzle and carrot and celery sticks in the background.
      Easy Hummus Dip Recipe
    • A spoon in a wooden bowl filled with creamy yellow lemon curd.
      Thermomix Lemon Curd
    • Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce
    Basil, pine nuts and parmesan crushed in a bowl.

    Thermomix Pesto

    A simple and tasty Thermomix Pesto recipe made using fresh basil, parmesan cheese, garlic, olive oil and pine nuts. Ready in just 5 minutes!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: sauces and condiments
    Cuisine: Italian
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 cup
    Calories: 1274kcal
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 40 g parmesan cheese
    • 45 g pine nuts
    • 60 g fresh basil leaves
    • salt and pepper to season
    • 1 garlic clove fresh, or 1 tsp minced garlic
    • 90 g olive oil
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Place the parmesan cheese into the Thermomix bowl. Mix for 10 seconds, Speed 10.
    • Add the pine nuts, fresh basil leaves, salt and pepper, garlic and olive oil. Mix for 10 seconds, Speed 7.
      Scrape down the sides of the bowl and repeat for a further 10 seconds.
    • Use immediately or store in the fridge in an airtight container.

    Notes

    RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
    • Substitutions - you can substitute the pine nuts with walnuts, cashews or almonds. Rocket, kale or baby spinach are all great options in place of the fresh basil too.
    • To avoid the pesto turning brown - the pesto will turn brown when exposed to air. Store in a completely airtight container in the fridge. If your container is not airtight, add a thin layer of olive oil over the top of the pesto when storing in the fridge.
    • Storing - store the pesto in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • Freezing - you can freeze Thermomix pesto for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
    • Equipment - if you don't have a Thermomix, you can make this pesto using a food processor.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1274kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 132g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 25g | Monounsaturated Fat: 77g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 646mg | Potassium: 495mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3491IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 593mg | Iron: 5mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!
    « New York Baked Cheesecake
    Baked Chocolate Mint Slice »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

    More about me →

    Biscuit Tin Fillers

    • Homemade oat cookies with melted chocolate in the middle.
      Kingston Biscuits
    • Gooey homemade Biscoff and white chocolate cookies.
      Biscoff Cookies
    • Chocolate chip cookies with gooey chocolate caramels spilling out.
      Rolo Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies

    Simple Baked Slices

    • Pieces of caramel crumble slice with oats.
      Caramel Oat Slice
    • Pieces of oat slice topped with chocolate.
      Chocolate Flapjacks
    • bars of a buttery shortbread slice base with ginger icing.
      Ginger Crunch Slice
    • White Chocolate & Raspberry Cheesecake Slice
      White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake Slice
    Names of brands that Bake Play Smile has had recipes featured in.

    Family Favourites

    • A bowl of homemade ricotta gnocchi with a meat bolognese sauce.
      Gnocchi Bolognese
    • Beef & Spinach Cottage Pie
    • A casserole of creamy chicken and bacon with ranch dressing in a baking dish.
      Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Bake
    • A plate of pumpkin, spinach and bacon risotto on a white plate.
      Bacon & Roast Pumpkin Risotto

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
    • Accessibility
    • Terms Of Use

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Shop the store

    Copyright © 2023 Bake Play Smile