Basil Arugula Pesto Recipe is a fresh herb pesto recipe that blends basil, arugula, olive oil, and Parmesan into a vibrant sauce with 5-minute prep, bold peppery flavor, and versatile pasta or spread uses. Fresh basil leaves and arugula are pulsed in a food processor with pine nuts, garlic, and lemon juice to create a smooth, bright green pesto that works beautifully for pasta, chicken, sandwiches, or salads.
If you enjoy this recipe, you might also like our Pesto Potatoes, Pasta Primavera with Pesto, or our Creamy Pesto Pasta Recipe.
Basil Arugula Pesto Recipe at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: None
- 👥 Servings: About 1 cup
- 🔥 Cook Method: Food Processor
- 🍽️ Cuisine (or General Category): Italian-Inspired Sauce
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Pesto Caprese Sandwich, Pasta, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
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Using fresh basil and arugula together creates a pesto with balance, and we love serving it over roasted vegetables or spread on toasted bread. ~Jami
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Peppery Herb Flavor: The combination of basil and arugula creates a pesto with a balanced mix of sweetness and peppery bite.
- Quick 5-Minute Prep: Everything blends in a food processor, making this perfect for fast weeknight cooking. It's similar to our Sundried Tomato Pesto Recipe with Almonds!
- Versatile Sauce: Spoon it over pasta, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or even pizza for instant flavor.
- Freezer-Friendly: This pesto freezes well in small portions for easy future meals.
Key Ingredients
These simple ingredients combine to create a bright, herb-packed pesto with a creamy texture and balanced flavor.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Sweet basil forms the classic pesto base and gives the sauce its vibrant green color. Choose fresh, fragrant leaves without dark spots.
- Fresh Arugula: Arugula adds a peppery bite that balances the richness of the olive oil and cheese.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: High-quality olive oil creates a smooth, silky pesto and enhances the fresh herb flavor.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds saltiness and umami depth that makes the pesto taste rich and savory.
- Pine Nuts: Pine nuts create the traditional pesto texture and add mild nutty sweetness.
- Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic gives the pesto a bold aromatic punch.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Lemon juice brightens the flavor and helps keep the pesto tasting fresh.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Pine Nuts: Walnuts or almonds can replace pine nuts for a more budget-friendly pesto.
- Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino Romano creates a sharper flavor, while nutritional yeast provides a dairy-free option.
- Arugula: Spinach can replace some of the arugula for a milder pesto.
- Flavor: Add fresh lemon zest for an extra bright citrus note.
- Spice: Blend in a pinch of red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
- Equipment: A high-powered blender can replace the food processor.
How To Make Basil Arugula Pesto
STEP ONE: Prepare the Herbs
Add the basil, arugula, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese to a food processor.
STEP TWO: Chop the Ingredients
Pulse several times until the herbs and nuts are roughly chopped and combined.
STEP THREE: Blend the Olive Oil
With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto becomes smooth and creamy.
STEP FOUR: Finish the Pesto
Add lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Pulse once more, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed.
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Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Use fresh herbs for the brightest flavor and color.
✔️ DO Toast the pine nuts before blending if you prefer a deeper nutty flavor.
❌ DO NOT Overblend the pesto, or it may become oily.
Storage
Store basil arugula pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top to prevent browning. For longer storage, freeze pesto in ice cube trays for up to 3 months and thaw small portions when needed.
Basil Arugula Pesto Recipe FAQs
Yes. Arugula and basil pair extremely well because basil provides sweetness while arugula adds peppery depth. The combination creates a balanced pesto with more complexity than traditional basil pesto.
Basil arugula pesto is versatile and can be tossed with pasta, spread on sandwiches, or spooned over grilled chicken or fish. It also works well in salads or as a pizza sauce.
Yes. You can make pesto without nuts by replacing pine nuts with sunflower seeds or simply omitting them. The texture will be slightly lighter but still delicious.
Did You Try This Recipe?
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📖 Recipe
Basil Arugula Pesto Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves about 1 ounce
- 1 cup packed fresh baby arugula
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 1 to 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Add the basil, arugula, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese to a food processor.
- Pulse several times until the herbs and nuts are roughly chopped.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Pulse once more, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed.
Save This Recipe 💌
Enter your email below and we'll send it to your inbox. Plus, you'll get new recipes from us each week!
Notes
- Optional: Toast the pine nuts before blending to enhance their flavor.
- Use high-quality olive oil for the best pesto texture.
- Add lemon juice gradually so the flavor stays balanced.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Jami Powell says
We love the flavor of this pesto with heavy cream for pasta!.