Best 4 Simple Basil Spinach Pesto Recipes

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Are you craving a bright and flavorful condiment to elevate your meals? Look no further than this collection of easy-to-make pesto recipes. From the classic basil pesto to creative variations like spinach pesto and arugula pesto, these recipes are packed with fresh herbs, nuts, and cheese, delivering a burst of flavor in every bite.

Whether you're a seasoned pesto enthusiast or a novice cook, we have a recipe that will suit your taste and skill level. Our classic basil pesto is a versatile condiment that can be used as a pasta sauce, spread on sandwiches, or stirred into soups and stews. For a more vibrant pesto, try the spinach pesto, which incorporates fresh spinach leaves for a boost of nutrients and a beautiful green color. If you prefer a peppery kick, the arugula pesto is a delightful choice, with its slightly bitter flavor that pairs well with grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

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

SPINACH-BASIL PESTO



Spinach-Basil Pesto image

Toss this rich, garlicky pesto with pasta or use as a spread. It also freezes well for fresh flavor over the winter. -Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 10m

Yield 1-3/4 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 garlic cloves, halved
3 cups fresh baby spinach
1-1/2 cups loosely packed basil leaves
3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pine nuts, toasted
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
3/4 cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Place garlic in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Add spinach, basil and walnuts. Pulse until chopped. Add cheese, salt and pepper. Continue processing while gradually adding oil in a steady stream. Freeze option: Freeze pesto in freezer containers. To use, thaw in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 167 calories, Fat 17g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 177mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

BASIL PESTO



Basil Pesto image

Basil pesto is extremely versatile! It enhances the flavor for all dishes like steak, chicken, fish, vegetables, and pasta! After the ingredients are combined and formed into a tube shape, simply slice whatever size portion you need and freeze the rest! Easy-breezy to prepare and bursting with flavor!

Provided by Bwoogie1

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

Time 15m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 cup olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
⅔ cup pine nuts
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Combine basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and olive oil in a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add garlic, pine nuts, salt, and pepper. Pulse until mixture becomes smooth and blended.
  • Pour mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap; roll into a tube shape and seal. Store in the refrigerator until needed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 177.1 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Cholesterol 4.4 mg, Fat 17.9 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 3.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 87.2 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

SPINACH-BASIL PESTO



Spinach-Basil Pesto image

This pesto is so simple, and its mild, herbaceous flavor makes it the ideal companion for just about any of the meatballs. While many pesto recipes call for pine nuts, we prefer the flavor (and lower price) of walnuts. Try roughly chopping them to add a nice, crunchy texture. We also love this as a healthy party dip, especially because it has no raw garlic - your guests will thank you too! You can swap arugula for spinach if you prefer. Pesto freezes well and will keep for up to three months in the freezer.

Provided by Tara Parker-Pope

Time 30m

Yield 4 cups

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts
4 cups baby spinach leaves
2 cups fresh basil
1 teaspoon salt or to taste
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup grated rennet-free Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread out the walnuts on a small rimmed baking sheet and roast in oven for about 12 minutes, giving them a shake after 6 minutes. Continue roasting until golden brown and toasted. Set aside and allow to cool thoroughly.
  • Fill a large stockpot three-quarters full with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl half way up with ice and water and set close to the sink.
  • Dump the spinach and basil into the boiling water and stir. After 1 minute, strain the greens, and plunge them into the bowl with ice water. Drain the greens again and squeeze them tightly to get as much water out as possible. Chop the greens roughly.
  • Combine the greens and walnuts with the salt, olive oil and Parmesan in a food processor and process until a smooth consistency is reached. Taste and season with additional salt, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 40, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 0 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 18 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams

SPINACH BASIL PESTO



Spinach Basil Pesto image

This sauce is perfect for freezing in an ice cube tray. I just pop out a couple of cubes from the freezer and add to a pasta dish for a quick and easy meal. The Parmesan cheese can be omitted and added after thawing. Pour any pesto you aren't using immediately into an ice cube tray, cover with plastic wrap, and store in freezer.

Provided by Dianne

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

Time 20m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 ½ cups baby spinach leaves
¾ cup fresh basil leaves
½ cup toasted pine nuts
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 cloves garlic, peeled and quartered
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon lemon zest
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Blend the spinach, basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a food processor until nearly smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula as necessary. Drizzle the remaining olive oil into the mixture while processing until smooth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 67 calories, Carbohydrate 0.8 g, Cholesterol 1.5 mg, Fat 6.6 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 1.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 87.2 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh basil and spinach for the best flavor. If you don't have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs, but the flavor will be less intense.
  • To make the pesto ahead of time, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
  • Pesto can be used as a condiment, a sauce, or a marinade. It's great on pasta, pizza, chicken, fish, and vegetables.
  • If you don't have pine nuts, you can use other nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, or pecans.
  • If you don't have Parmesan cheese, you can use another hard cheese, such as Romano or Asiago.
  • To make a vegan pesto, omit the Parmesan cheese and use nutritional yeast instead.

Conclusion:

Basil spinach pesto is a versatile and flavorful sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's easy to make and can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later use. With its bright green color and delicious taste, basil spinach pesto is sure to please everyone at your table.

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