Easy Spinach Pesto Recipe
This vibrant spinach pesto recipe combines fresh spinach, basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese blended with olive oil and lemon juice to create a flavorful, versatile sauce perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s a quick and healthy way to elevate your meals with a burst of fresh, herbaceous taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 7 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Herbs and Greens
- 3 cups fresh spinach (packed)
- ¼ cup fresh basil (packed)
Flavorings and Nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ cup pine nuts (or walnuts, almonds, or pistachios as alternatives)
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Oils
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Gather fresh spinach, basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, kosher salt, black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil.
- Combine in blender or food processor: Place all the ingredients except the olive oil into the blender or food processor.
- Blend to paste: Blend the mixture until it reaches a thick paste consistency.
- Adjust texture: If the pesto is too thick, add more olive oil gradually and blend until you reach the desired consistency.
- Season to taste: Taste the pesto and add additional salt and pepper if needed to balance the flavors.
- Store: Transfer the pesto to a closed container and refrigerate. It can be kept fresh in the fridge for up to one week.
Notes
- You can substitute pine nuts with walnuts, almonds, or pistachios without significantly altering the flavor.
- If you prefer a nuttier or creamier pesto, lightly toast the nuts before blending.
- Use this pesto as a sauce for pasta, a spread for sandwiches, a topping for grilled meats or vegetables, or a dip.
- Store pesto airtight in the fridge to maintain its freshness and prevent oxidation.
- Adding lemon juice not only enhances flavor but also helps preserve the green color.
Keywords: spinach pesto, pesto recipe, spinach sauce, Italian pesto, quick pesto, basil pesto alternative, healthy pesto
Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/easy-spinach-pesto-recipe/
