Description
This vibrant Spinach Pesto recipe combines fresh spinach, aromatic basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese blended into a creamy, flavorful sauce perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s a versatile and nutritious addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Spinach Pesto Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh spinach (packed)
- ¼ cup fresh basil (packed)
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ cup pine nuts (or walnuts, almonds, or pistachios as alternatives)
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place fresh spinach, basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, kosher salt, and black pepper into a blender or food processor.
- Blend to Paste: Blend the mixture until it reaches a thick, creamy paste consistency.
- Adjust Consistency: If the pesto is too thick, gradually add more olive oil, blending until your desired texture is achieved.
- Season to Taste: Taste the pesto and add extra salt and pepper if needed to enhance the flavor.
- Serve or Store: Use immediately as a sauce or dip, or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- You can substitute pine nuts with walnuts, almonds, or pistachios for a different flavor profile.
- For a vegan version, omit Parmesan or replace with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Store leftover pesto in the fridge in an airtight container and cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil to maintain freshness.
- This pesto can be frozen in ice cube trays for convenient portioning and longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: spinach pesto, pesto recipe, basil pesto, homemade pesto, spinach sauce, easy pesto, Italian sauce
