Beef Free Garlic Mint Fresh Pesto

Total time13 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time3 min

4.6

(12)

Fresh pesto is one of those sauces that makes everything it touches taste more alive, and this garlic-mint version is genuinely exciting. The combination of mint and basil creates a bright, cooling herbaceousness that's a little unexpected but completely addictive — it's classic pesto with a twist that actually earns its place. Toasting the pine nuts first is a small step that pays off big, adding a warm, nutty depth that balances the freshness of the herbs. Fresh ricotta takes the place of the more traditional hard cheese, giving the sauce a creamy, pillowy body without weighing it down. Everything comes together in a food processor in just a few pulses, so you're rewarded with a thick, spoonable sauce that still has real texture and character. It's naturally free of any meat or animal-based proteins beyond dairy, making it an easy, confident choice when you need a crowd-pleasing sauce with zero compromise. Toss it with pasta, spread it on flatbread, or spoon it over roasted vegetables — it disappears fast either way.

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Ingredients

4 servings

1 cup fresh mint leaves, packed
1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
2 cloves garlic, peeled
3 tbsp pine nuts
¼ cup fresh ricotta
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ tsp salt, or to taste

Instructions

1
Toast the pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer immediately to a plate and let cool for 2 minutes.
2
Combine the mint, basil, garlic, and toasted pine nuts in a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the herbs are roughly chopped and the mixture looks coarse and even.

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