Spinach Basil Pesto {Nut-Free}

Name: Spinach Basil Pesto {Nut-Free}
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup olive oil; 4 cups packed spinach leaves; 2 cups packed basil leaves; 2 cloves garlic; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

By Maria Lichty

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Spinach Basil Pesto – A great flavor booster, we keep a jar of this Basil Pesto in our fridge at all times. Learn how to make pesto in 5 minutes! Basil Pesto goes well with just about everything – pasta, salads, vegetables, chicken, fish, potatoes, soups, pasta, even sandwiches.

Today, we are sharing a super simple recipe for Spinach Basil Pesto. This nut-free pesto recipe is a summer favorite when the garden basil is out of control. You all need to add it to your must make list. This pesto can be made in 5 minutes and goes well with just about everything-pasta, salads, vegetables, chicken, fish, potatoes, soups, gnocchi, and it’s so good on sandwiches. This easy pesto recipe is our all-time favorite!

Embrace the Spinach in this Basil Pesto

And if you are hesitant about the spinach, don’t be. Embrace the spinach. You really can’t taste it and it gives the pesto a vibrant green color, which makes me very happy. I love green! Plus, spinach is so good for you. I mean, you’ve seen Popeye flex his guns, right? Don’t you want arms like that? Gotta eat your spinach! Why not in pesto form?

Our boys don’t even know this basil pesto is made with spinach and they love it! Plus, spinach is cheaper than buying a ton of basil, so this is a budget friendly pesto too!

How to Make Pesto

Making homemade pesto is easy. Place the ingredients in a food processor or blender, let the machine work its magic and voila-you have a smooth and flavorful basil pesto! The ingredients to this spinach basil pesto couldn’t be any simpler:

spinach
basil
garlic
Parmesan cheese
lemon juice
salt and pepper
olive oil

I didn’t forget the nuts, Josh is allergic to all nuts so we make nut-free pesto. I promise it’s just as tasty! So if you are concerned with nut allergies, this is the pesto for you! Omitting the nuts also keeps the calories and fat down, if you are watching those things:)

If you need the pesto to be vegan or dairy-free you can leave out the Parmesan cheese, it is still good without it!

Basil Pesto is Versatile!

We keep a jar of Spinach Basil Pesto in our fridge at all times. Again, it has so many uses. It is such a great flavor booster and our family loves it!

In the summer, when our basil is growing like weeds, we make a huge batch and put it in the freezer. It comes in handy during the winter months. Pro tip, freeze the pesto in ice cube trays! A little pesto goes a long way and the little ice cubes of pesto are perfect.

More Basil Recipes

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Spinach Basil Pesto {Nut-Free}

This nut-free spinach basil pesto is bright green and full of flavor! It is great with pasta, veggies, chicken, fish, or as a spread on sandwiches.

4.94 from 43 votes

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Prep Time 5 mins

Total Time 5 mins

Cuisine Italian

Servings 8

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
4 cups packed spinach leaves
2 cups packed basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Place the olive oil, spinach, basil, garlic, garlic, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender. Turn on the machine and blend for 30 seconds. Stop and scrape with a spatula and blend again until smooth. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if necessary.
Serve with pasta, veggies, chicken, fish, as a spread, etc. Store the pesto in a jar or container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. This pesto also freezes well. Enjoy!

Notes

If you like a thinner pesto you can add a little more olive oil. The pesto will keep in the fridge for up to one week and in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 138kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 207mg, Potassium: 101mg, Vitamin A: 1750IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 64mg, Iron: 0.7mg

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Maria

I'm Maria and my husband is Josh. We share a love of cooking, baking, and entertaining. We enjoy creating recipes that are simple, fresh, and family friendly. We love sitting around the table with good food, good conversation, and good friends and family! Our kitchen is always open!
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