Best 5 Light Pesto Recipes
Calling all pesto lovers! Here's a collection of 5 light pesto recipes that pack a punch of flavor without weighing you down. From a classic basil pesto to unique variations like arugula pesto and sun-dried tomato pesto, these recipes offer a refreshing twist on the traditional pesto experience. Perfect for those seeking a lighter, healthier alternative, these pestos are made with simple, fresh ingredients and are versatile enough to elevate any dish. Spread them on sandwiches and wraps, toss them with pasta or roasted vegetables, or use them as a marinade for chicken or fish. Discover how these light and flavorful pesto recipes can transform your culinary creations into vibrant, delicious meals.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
LIGHT LEMON PESTO PASTA
Light, yet full of flavor, this pesto is perfect tossed with hot spaghetti for a quick dinner. It is also excellent as a pizza sauce or smeared on hot French bread. It freezes well to preserve the bounty of summer basil.
Provided by Baking Nana
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti at a boil until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain. Transfer spaghetti to a large bowl.
- Put cubed Romano cheese in the bowl of a food processor; process until coarsely grated, about 30 seconds. Put garlic into the food processor and process until the cheese and garlic are combined. Add spinach, basil, walnuts, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt; process until the mixture comes together into a thick paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
- With food processor running, drizzle olive oil into the mixture. Continue processing until the oil is integrated smoothly.
- Pour sauce over spaghetti and toss to coat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 464.7 calories, Carbohydrate 60.2 g, Cholesterol 19.7 mg, Fat 17.2 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 18 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 337.3 mg, Sugar 2.7 g
LIGHT SHRIMP AND PESTO PASTA
For a quick meal that's elegant enough to serve to company, you can't beat the combination of shrimp, pesto, and pasta. Using garlic scapes instead of basil and garlic gives this dish a lighter note.
Provided by BigShotsMom
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Shrimp
Time 36m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Place garlic scapes, Romano cheese, parsley, and walnuts in the bowl of a food processor; pulse to combine. Scrape down sides. Turn on food processor; pour in olive oil and lemon juice while processing pesto until smooth.
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in pasta, bring back to a boil, and cook over medium heat until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Stir pesto and shrimp into the pasta. Season with salt and black pepper. Squeeze a lemon wedge over pasta and serve remaining wedges alongside.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 672.8 calories, Carbohydrate 80.9 g, Cholesterol 168.2 mg, Fat 23.7 g, Fiber 5.1 g, Protein 38.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 454.9 mg, Sugar 4.2 g
LIGHT PESTO
"I adapted this recipe by substituting fresh lemon juice for olive oil-cutting the fat, but not the flavor," says Cynthia Nardi from Uhrichsville, Ohio. "
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 5m
Yield 5 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a food processor, combine Romano cheese and garlic; cover and process for 30 seconds. Add the basil, nuts, salt and pepper; cover and process until combined, about 15 seconds. While processing, add the lemon juice; process about 15 seconds longer or until combined. Toss the spaghetti.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 155 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 24mg cholesterol, Sodium 626mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
PESTO BURGERS (LIGHT)
Make and share this Pesto Burgers (Light) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Redsie
Categories Meat
Time 20m
Yield 5 burgers, 5 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Mix the beef, bread crumbs, green onion, basil, 1/4 cup of pesto, egg and garlic by hand and shape into 5 burgers.
- Grill or sauté until done, about 7 minutes per side.
- Serve the burgers with the remaining 1/4 cup of pesto.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 164.8, Fat 5.9, SaturatedFat 2.4, Cholesterol 98.6, Sodium 180.4, Carbohydrate 4.8, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 0.6, Protein 21.7
LIGHT PESTO SAUCE
My pesto sauce uses less oil than most pesto sauces. This makes it thicker, but it also makes it a lot lighter. NOTE: This recipe works perfectly if you want to substitute cilantro for basil, and if you use walnuts, almonds, or pecans in place of the pine nuts.
Provided by Late Night Gourmet
Categories Vegetable
Time 10m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Peel skin from garlic cloves, and chop into big chunks.
- Using a food processor, pulse basil, garlic, and nuts several times until finely chopped.
- Add cheese and ¼ cup of the olive oil, and pulse until blended.
- Pesto will be thick, so add more olive oil if desired for a looser consistency.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 64.1, Fat 6.8, SaturatedFat 1, Cholesterol 0.7, Sodium 133.5, Carbohydrate 0.5, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.1, Protein 0.7
Tips:
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor and aroma. If you don't have fresh basil on hand, you can use a combination of fresh parsley, cilantro, and mint.
- Use a good quality olive oil. The better the quality of the olive oil, the better the pesto will taste.
- Toast the pine nuts before using them. This will bring out their flavor and make them more fragrant.
- Add a little lemon juice or white wine vinegar to the pesto for a brighter flavor.
- Use pesto as a sauce for pasta, chicken, fish, or vegetables. You can also use it as a spread for sandwiches or wraps.
- Pesto can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Conclusion:
This light pesto recipe is a great way to add flavor to your favorite dishes. It's easy to make and can be used in a variety of ways. Whether you're using it as a sauce, a spread, or a marinade, this pesto is sure to please. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy way to add some flavor to your food, give this light pesto recipe a try.
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