I’m obsessed! I can’t stop making and eating spinach basil pesto!
It is so easy to make..why not make it tonight?
Do you know what the beauty of pesto is? Besides all the deliciously healthy ingredients? You can swap any number of ingredients and still have a delicious tasting pesto. Now, we all know the traditional pesto is made with mostly basil, but I wanted to add some vitamin packed greens to my family’s dinner with spinach. So I swapped out about 80% of the basil for spinach. You can even use 100% spinach if you choose. I don’t usually have pine nuts in the house so I prefer to use sliced almonds.
I leave my pesto a little on the chunky side. I like the texture, but if you prefer a smooth consistency, pluse away!
Spinach Basil Pesto
Author: Its All About The Yummy
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 5 cloves of garlic, peeled
- ¼ cup silvered raw almonds
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 shakes of Tabasco
- Juice and zest from ½ a lemon
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup to ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, add the spinach, basil, garlic, almonds, salt, pepper, Tabasco, juice and zest from lemon, and 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Pulse mixture until almost smooth.
- Add parmesan cheese.
- Slowly drizzle more olive oil and pulse until you get the consistency desired.
- **Store in a air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- **Add a small about of olive oil to the top of your container of spinach basil pesto when storing it in the refrigerator, to keep it from browning.
My favorite ways to eat pesto? There are so many, but to name a few…
- over pasta
- smeared on toast
- to replace mayo on sandwiches
- as a salad dressing
- as the sauce on a pizza
- baked over chicken
- on burgers
- baked on fish
- spread on a grilled cheese
- sautéed with veggies
- or….out of the jar with a spoon!
Until Next Time…
XOXO
candy
I just planted my spinach and can’t wait until I can go out pick fresh spinach and make this dish.
Its All About The Yummy
Candy, The fresh spinach would make it that much more tasty!
Heather
This recipe sounds amazing. I am waiting on my herb garden to grow a little more and then I will have to try it out. I always love pestos!
KRYSTEN
I made something very similar for my son the other night because I’m trying to get more greens into him. I’m going to have to try your recipe.
Jobie Medina
I would’ve never thought to use spinach. Great idea! My husband loves pesto on his sandwiches. I’ll definitely use this recipe next time.
Its All About The Yummy
It tastes delicious on sandwiches. I also like to use it on toast for breakfast.
Annie
This looks so good! Can’t wait to try
Petra
This looks so great recipe! I think I have to make this tomorrow! Thank you for sharing!
Kate
I am totally with you! I just made a spinach arugula pesto with almonds the other day, in fact. So good! And cheaper than the traditional pine nuts and basil. Though both are delicious, to be sure!
Ali B
I’ve never tried pesto with spinach. I bet it is fabulous! perfect for grilled chicken and penne this week.
Joanie @ ZagLeft
You just can’t beat homemade pesto – so fresh and flavorful. I don’t usually use almonds in mine but I’m looking forward to adding them next time I make pesto.
Brenda @Brenda Loves Sharing
I never knew you could make pesto on your own. It looks nice and fresh. Thanks for the tip about putting a little olive oil on top so it doesn’t brown.
Taylor
This sounds and looks absolutely fabulous! Will definitely be trying this recipe out! Thanks for sharing 🙂
xo, Taylor (thesprinkle.tayloramead.com)
Robin
This looks and sounds absolutely delicious (and healthy!). I also love the tip about swapping pine nuts out for almonds – I don’t know when it happened, but pine nuts got so expensive recently!
Maggie Unzueta
Basil is so good. It’s such a summer food. 🙂
Abby
This looks really delish! Definitley going to have to try it out!
jessica
hahaha, huge fan of spinach pesto but i always make a vegan version. so flavorful plus a burst of protein, how could you go wrong?! cheers to the pesto lovers (:
Veronica Anne
Oh YUM!! I’m obsessed with basil pesto but have never added spinach! Thanks for this!
Leah
I love any kind of pesto, and this is a great twist on it!
Barb
Yum! This looks amazing! I love pesto and I put that on everything! Pasta, bread, fish, chicken, you name it!
xoxo Barb
http://www.flashesofdelight.com
Cait Weingartner
I always grow a big pot of basil every year, and one of my favorite things to make with it, is fresh Pesto sauce. I love how this one has spinach too! Really looking forward to trying this recipe!
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen
Fresh pesto is one of the best toppings for pasta! I’ll take it anyway I can get it whether it’s spinach, basil, or arugula. I definitely want to try your recipe. Sounds wonderful!
Lauren @ Delicious Little Bites
Yum! Pesto is so good – love this variation using spinach!