Three simple and delicious recipes made with basil!
When I find a recipe that’s easy to make, I make it a lot. And when I find easy, quick, tasty food, I like to share it with you. Cause I’m nice like that. 🙂
Basil is one of my favorite herbs, and is so easy to grow at home! I usually have WAY too much and am always looking for ways to use it up.
I found these basil recipes years ago and they are still staples around here.
If you’re looking for ways to use up your crop or just love basil like me, you’ll enjoy these three recipes made with this delicious herb. I included my favorite snack idea, a pasta dish and even a delicious drink to finish it all off! 😉
First up, one that works for a quick snack or as a great dip for parties. It’s SO simple to throw together!
Easy basil pesto
Pesto is a great way to use up a lot of basil and it’s easy to make!
Bear with me because I usually make a small amount, so this is for a snack sized version. Perfect for just a few people!
The great thing about this recipe is you can easily customize the taste to how you like it.
EASY BASIL PESTO
Grated Parmesan cheese
Extra-virgin olive oil
One clove of garlic (or about 1/2 teaspoon minced)
Basil leaves
Extra-virgin olive oil
One clove of garlic (or about 1/2 teaspoon minced)
Basil leaves
Salt to taste
Optional: Pine nuts (these are expensive and I think it tastes just as good without!)
There’s no preparation needed, other than washing your basil leaves and patting them dry.
Just throw everything in a small processor or chopper:
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Mix to to the consistency you desire. My mini food processor is perfect for small recipes like this!
Taste test it to see if you’d like more of any ingredient. If it’s too thick, add a splash of olive oil. Too bland? Add more garlic or salt.
I LOVE basil, so I do a lot of basil, a lot of cheese, a little olive oil, and a smaller amount of garlic.
Taste and mix till it’s where you want it. I like to eat it with crackers or cut up veggies:
You can also add it to pasta — so good! Most pesto recipes will be thinner, but I like a thicker consistency.
By the way, yes, you can freeze pesto. Make a bunch and save some!
Spoon it into ice cube trays and freeze to add to recipes or thaw for later.
Now that we have an appetizer, let’s move on to the main course. 🙂
Easy Tomato and Basil Pasta
This pasta has basil as a main ingredient and is SO simple and good:
FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL PASTA
3 medium tomatoes, chopped (or one canned)
1/3 cup chopped basil leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic or 1/2 teaspoon minced (add more if you like garlic)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces pasta, uncooked (about one and a half cups)
3/4 to 1 cup grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup chopped basil leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic or 1/2 teaspoon minced (add more if you like garlic)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces pasta, uncooked (about one and a half cups)
3/4 to 1 cup grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
This dish really couldn’t get any easier! Mix everything together while cooking your pasta:
I had two cans of tomatoes in the pic above, but you only need one. It’s more than enough!
But again, this is another recipe that you can tweak to meet your tastes.
Then mix with the cooked pasta, and top with some more parmesan. That’s it!
I like to throw mine in a pan for a bit to warm the cheese, but it’s not necessary:
Sometimes I’ll add a little Italian seasoning in as well, but there’s so much flavor in this dish it’s not needed.
It would be delicious with chicken or veggies, but SO good as is:
It’s light, fresh, and pretty darn healthy…at least if you use whole wheat pasta. 🙂
You can also make it as a pasta salad by rinsing the pasta after cooking then refrigerating it.
I have yet to try it cold, but that sounds delicious too.
Dragon Berry Strawberry Basil Lemonade cocktail
Let’s finish off this trio with a yummy drink, shall we?
This fresh basil cocktail has become one of my favorites. Yes, basil…in a drink. I promise you, it’s good!
There’s just a hint of basil in this Bacardi Dragon Berry Strawberry Basil Lemonade drink:
I just call it Strawberry Basil Lemonade for short. 🙂
STRAWBERRY BASIL LEMONADE COCKTAIL
2 parts Bacardi Dragonberry Rum
1 part lemon juice
1 part simple syrup or sweet lime juice
3 basil leaves
3 strawberries (hulled and chopped)
2 parts Sprite or other clear fizzy soda
1 part lemon juice
1 part simple syrup or sweet lime juice
3 basil leaves
3 strawberries (hulled and chopped)
2 parts Sprite or other clear fizzy soda
To make this yumminess, muddle (crush) two basil leaves and strawberries together.
Then add those to the fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and Bacardi rum in a shaker with a bunch of ice.
Once mixed, add the clear soda and you’re done:
This is SO good and is one of my favorite summer cocktails. (But I would gladly have it all year!)
This is SO good and is one of my favorite summer cocktails. (But I would gladly have it all year!)
Of course, this could be made none alcoholic by omitting the rum. It would be a pretty punch for a shower or party!
Again, if you don’t like basil, this may not be for you. But don’t count it out if you’re not a basil fan!
The basil gives it just a little kick that is so different and fresh.
So there you go…a plethora of basil recipes, all easy and sooooo good. All perfect if you grow your own – it’s such a joy to go outside to pick my own food. Love it!
**Check out my simple summer beer margarita recipe for another warm weather favorite (at the end of the post) and this amazing sausage and spinach pasta is so fresh and delicious!:
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