Best 4 Lighter Pesto Recipes

Craving a flavorful sauce that's bursting with fresh flavors and aromas? Look no further than this collection of pesto recipes. With a focus on creating lighter and healthier versions of the classic pesto sauce, these recipes offer a variety of options to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. From traditional basil pesto to unique variations featuring arugula, spinach, and even roasted red peppers, these recipes provide a delightful fusion of flavors, textures, and colors. Whether you're looking to elevate your pasta dishes, add a vibrant touch to your salads, or create delectable dips and spreads, these lighter pesto recipes are sure to become your go-to condiments, packed with all the goodness of fresh herbs, nuts, and flavorful ingredients.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

LIGHTER BASIL PESTO

Lighter Basil Pesto image

Basil pesto is one of my favorite foods, especially in the summer. Unfortunately pesto is very high in fat and calories, so I have been working to create a lower fat and calorie version. This pesto is creamy and delicious without the guilt! This recipe is also great with any type of stock or nuts that you have at home.

Provided by Jtallent

Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

2 cups fresh basil
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon pine nuts
¼ cup part-skim ricotta cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons olive oil
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable broth, or as needed

Steps:

Chop basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor. Add ricotta cheese to the basil mixture and process. Repeat with Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Add vegetable broth and process until sauce is smooth. Add more broth if pesto is too thick.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 42 calories, Carbohydrate 1.3 g, Cholesterol 4.6 mg, Fat 3.1 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 55.6 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

LIGHTER PESTO

Lighter Pesto image

With fresh basil at its summer peak, we can add more basil and less oil and nuts to this recipe.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes

Time 10m

Yield Makes 3/4 cup

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

3 cups tightly packed fresh basil leaves (2 ounces total)
3 tablespoons walnut pieces
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

In a food processor, combine basil, walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons water; season with salt and pepper. Puree until a paste forms.
With motor running, add oil in a thin stream. Process until very smooth, about 1 minute.

Nutrition Facts : Fat 16 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 11 g

BASIL PESTO - "LIGHTER VERSION"

Basil Pesto -

A lighter version of the clasic pesto. This recipe is great for all the beautiful, fresh basil available in the summer

Provided by Kozmic Blues

Categories Sauces

Time 5m

Yield 3/4 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 -4 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Steps:

Add nuts and garlic to blender and pulse until minced.
Add olive oil, pulse a few time more.
Add basil leaves, cheese, salt and blend until smooth.
Scrape sides of blender as you go to make sure everthing mixes well.
Serve with your favorite pasta.

LIGHTER SPINACH PESTO SAUCE

Lighter Spinach Pesto Sauce image

I tried this pesto sauce at my sister-in-law's house and thought it was really good. It has much less oil than a traditional pesto and the picante sauce gives it a nice kick.

Provided by Chris from Kansas

Categories Sauces

Time 10m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups fresh spinach
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup picante sauce, divided
3 cloves garlic

Steps:

Reserve 1/2 cup picante sauce.
Blend all remaining ingredients in blender or food processor.
Fold in remaining picante sauce.
Mix with hot cooked pasta.
Refrigerate until ready to use.

Tips for Making a Lighter Pesto

Use a food processor to make the pesto. This will help to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
If you don't have a food processor, you can use a blender. However, the pesto may not be as smooth.
Use fresh basil for the best flavor. If you can't find fresh basil, you can use dried basil, but the flavor will be less intense.
Use a variety of nuts for the pesto. This will add different flavors and textures to the sauce.
Use extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor. Olive oil is a healthy fat that is also very flavorful.
Add a little bit of lemon juice to the pesto to brighten the flavor.
Salt and pepper the pesto to taste.
Store the pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Conclusion

Pesto is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used on a variety of dishes. It's perfect for pasta, pizza, chicken, fish, and vegetables. This lighter version of pesto is just as flavorful as the traditional version, but it has fewer calories and fat. So you can enjoy it without guilt!