Healthy Spinach Pesto

Brighten up your meals with this Healthy Spinach Pesto, a lighter, nutrient-packed twist on the classic recipe! Bursting with the fresh flavors of spinach, basil, and zesty lemon juice, this vibrant pesto substitutes traditional pine nuts with heart-healthy walnuts for a nutritious boost. Parmesan cheese adds a savory depth, while garlic and extra-virgin olive oil create a silky texture that's perfect for drizzling, dipping, or spreading. Ready in just 10 minutes with no cooking required, this quick and easy spinach pesto is a versatile condiment that's ideal for elevating pasta dishes, sandwiches, or vegetable platters. It's the ultimate choice for a fresh, wholesome, and flavor-packed addition to your favorite dishes!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups Fresh spinach leaves
• 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cup Raw walnuts
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cloves Fresh garlic cloves
• 0.25 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Water (optional, for consistency)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the fresh spinach and basil leaves thoroughly under cold water, then pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towel.

Step 2

Peel the garlic cloves and set them aside.

Step 3

In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the spinach, basil, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

Pulse the ingredients until roughly blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.

Step 5

With the processor running on low, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. If needed, add water one tablespoon at a time to achieve your desired consistency.

Step 6

Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.

Step 7

Transfer the spinach pesto to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Step 8

Serve immediately with pasta, spread it on sandwiches, or use it as a versatile dip for fresh vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	315.1 grams (315.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1056

Total Fat 105.70g	136%
Saturated Fat 15.90g	80%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 20mg	7%
Sodium 1593mg	69%
Total Carbohydrate 19.70g	7%
Dietary Fiber 7.30g	26%
Total Sugars 2.50g
Protein 21.50g	43%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 417mg	32%
Iron 5mg	29%
Potassium 879mg	19%

*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: 85.2%

Protein: 7.7%

Carbs: 7.1%