15+ Italian Recipes with Fresh Basil

These Italian recipes with fresh basil are some of the easiest ways to enjoy the this amazing herb in your cooking. Whether you’re looking for fresh pesto, pasta recipes, or other delicious dishes, I know these recipes will inspire you.

This collection of easy basil recipes is hand selected and includes many of my favorite recipes I use for appetizers to main dishes. Some are my own creations, and others are from my family members.

If you want even more inspiration, also check out my other Italian summer recipes for even more ideas!

Homemade Basil Pesto

Pesto is made in many ways. Here are some of the ways I make it. Don’t forget, not only does a little go a long way, you can store your pesto in the freezer for up to six months!

1

Classic Pesto Genovese

Enjoy this easy and traditional recipe for pesto Genovese. Use in salads, on pizza, bread or with your pasta!

Check out this recipe

Caprese Recipes

There is more than one way to enjoy a caprese salad. Caprese consists of three primary ingredients – tomatoes, fresh basil and fresh mozzarella.

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Healthy Caprese Salad

This basil recipe is an Italian classic recipe served as an appetizer. Using a quality olive oil is key and ripe fresh tomatoes!

Check out this recipe

How to Use Basil In Italian Cooking

Using basil in cooking isn’t as simple as you might think, especially when it comes to using fresh vs dried basil. As tempting as it may be to grab a jar of dried basil when you’ve run out of fresh, I want to warn you that the resulting flavor may not be what you intended.

• Fresh basil has a bright and light flavor. Fresh basil adds a sweet, peppery, slightly minty flavor that is best appreciated when added at the end of cooking or used raw, such as in pesto, caprese salad, or as a garnish.
• Fresh basil can be frozen for later. You can freeze fresh basil in ice cube trays, which is a trick I do frequently. By preserving the natural state of the basil, you can still have that summery flavor to your dishes even in the dead of winter!
• Store fresh uncut basil in a jar for a quick grab. Place the stems in a jar with a little water, like a bouquet of flowers, and keep it on the counter. Refrigeration can cause the leaves to darken and wilt more quickly. This actually works for many herbs, even parsley!

More Menu Recipe Ideas

If you love basil as an herb, here are some additional posts you might be interested in.

• How to grow basil from seed
• What’s in my Italian herb garden this year
• Herb Series- Part One: Sweet Basil

I hope you’ve enjoyed these basil recipes in your Italian cooking!