Description
This Spinach Basil Pesto is a fresh and vibrant twist on the classic Italian sauce. Made with baby spinach, fragrant basil, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon, and rich extra virgin olive oil, this homemade pesto delivers bold Mediterranean flavor in just minutes. It’s perfect for tossing with pasta, spreading on sandwiches, drizzling over grilled chicken or fish, or serving as a dip. The spinach adds a silky texture and balances the basil beautifully, making this pesto both budget-friendly and family-approved.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach, packed
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (or walnuts)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Wash the spinach and basil thoroughly and pat completely dry.
- Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Let cool.
- Add toasted nuts and garlic cloves to a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add spinach and basil. Pulse until greens are finely minced.
- Slowly drizzle in olive oil while pulsing until the mixture becomes creamy but still slightly textured.
- Add Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
- Pulse a few more times until fully combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or store properly.
Notes
For a budget-friendly option, substitute walnuts for pine nuts. Add extra olive oil for a thinner consistency or a splash of pasta water when mixing with pasta. Store pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days with a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent browning. Freeze in ice cube trays for up to 3 months for convenient portions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: B
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg