Lighter Spinach Pesto Sauce

Elevate your meals with this vibrant and nutritious Lighter Spinach Pesto Sauce, a fresh twist on the classic Italian favorite. Packed with peppery spinach and fragrant basil, this recipe balances creamy grated Parmesan, toasted pine nuts (or budget-friendly almonds), and a zesty splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice for a lighter, wholesome take on traditional pesto. Made in just 10 minutes with a quick blend of simple, wholesome ingredients, this versatile sauce is perfect for pasta, as a flavorful spread, or even as a vibrant veggie dip. With optional water to achieve your ideal texture and minimal prep time, this vibrant green pesto is as easy as it is delicious. It's a must-have recipe for quick, healthy meals that don’t skimp on flavor!

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 cups Fresh spinach leaves
• 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.25 cup Pine nuts (or almonds for a budget-friendly option)
• 2 units Garlic cloves
• 0.25 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Water (optional, for thinning)

Directions

Step 1

Thoroughly wash and dry the fresh spinach and basil leaves to remove any dirt or debris.

Step 2

In a food processor or blender, add the spinach, basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic cloves.

Step 3

Pulse the mixture a few times to begin breaking down the ingredients.

Step 4

While the food processor or blender is running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture starts to come together into a smooth paste.

Step 5

Add the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to taste, and blend again until well incorporated.

Step 6

If the pesto is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water, one tablespoon at a time, blending in between until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.

Step 8

Transfer the lighter spinach pesto to a jar or container with a lid. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Step 9

Use the pesto immediately on pasta, as a spread, or as a dip for vegetables and crackers.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(258.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	865.1

Total Fat 87.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 40mg	0%
Sodium 1910.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 9.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.4g	0%
Total Sugars 1.6g
Protein 22.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 541.0mg	0%
Iron 4.1mg	0%
Potassium 613.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 85.8%

Protein: 9.9%

Carbs: 4.3%