• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sip Bite Go logo

  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Homemade Pizza
    • Sous Vide Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
  • Sous Vide
    • All Sous Vide Recipes
    • The Home Chef’s Sous Vide Cookbook
    • Sous Vide Lobster Tails
    • Sous Vide Frozen Steak
    • Sous Vide T Bone Steak
    • Sous Vide Chicken Wings
    • Sous Vide Egg Bites
  • Cookbooks
  • More
    • Entertaining
    • Kitchen Remodel
    • Travel
    • Blogging Chat
    • Shopping Guides
    • Check Ins
    • Giveaways
  • About
    • Get Updates
    • About Jenna
    • Start here
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
  • Podcast
  • Nav Social Menu

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
You are here: Home / Recipes / Sauces & Dressings / Spinach Basil Pesto with Walnuts

Spinach Basil Pesto with Walnuts

Jan 18, 2021 · Leave a Comment

Pin1
Tweet
Share
Share
1 Shares
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
Two images with text overlay, top shot of green pesto in bowl above, top shot of pasta with spinach basil pesto on bottom

Spinach basil pesto is a must-have staple for any pasta lover looking to incorporate more vegetables into their weekly menu. A great way to use fresh greens, this vegan spinach pesto with walnuts is so refreshingly delicious that even your pickiest eater will be begging for more.

Green pesto sauce garnished with basil leaves in round bowl on wooden table

It’s 2 p.m., you pull open the fridge looking for a quick snack, but then you go through the mental tug-of-war that decides between healthy and hungry. While a slice of cold pizza may sate your cravings in the short-term, opting for a healthy snack filled with protein and vitamins will give you the push you need to make it through the rest of your day.

Personally, I often struggle to meet my nutrients quota, especially when I remember that as an adult (and a mom and a woman and an overall busy human) I need to be eating at least 2- 3 cups of vegetables each day, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). So how do I close the gap? By finding ways to incorporate my greens in everyday dishes.

One way to help boost your veggie intake without completing throwing out your weekly menu or dinner routine is to make a nutrient-packed pesto with spinach and walnuts to give you an extra boost of protein. This quick and easy pesto can be added to almost anything and is sure to help curb that snack craving without derailing your diet.

Green pesto sauce garnished with basil leaves in round bowl on wooden table

Ingredients for Spinach Basil Pesto

The key to your ingredients for spinach and basil pesto is simple: Keep it fresh — fresh herbs, fresh greens, fresh flavors! This is such a delicious and healthy recipe, so pack it full of the freshness you deserve and avoid as many frozen or processed ingredients as you can.

Spinach and Basil

Traditional pestos include pine nuts and basil only, but my recipe actually calls for 1/3 basil and 2/3 fresh spinach leaves, so it’s important that you have plenty of these fresh leafy greens on hand.

Walnuts

If you prefer pine nuts, almonds, or another topping, you can always substitute out the walnuts. Additionally, if you have a nut allergy in your household, you can leave the nut ingredient out altogether and still enjoy the pesto.

Zest and Spice

Turn up the mouthwatering flavors of your homemade pesto by adding lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes while blending. 

Green pesto sauce garnished with basil leaves in round bowl on wooden table

How to make Spinach Basil Pesto

Step 1. I started this recipe by toasting the walnuts. Grab a small skillet and bring to medium-low heat on the stove. Add in your oil, and when hot, pour in the walnuts. Stir for about 3-5 minutes, or until the walnuts are lightly browned and fragrant.

Spinach leaves, basil leaves, and chopped walnuts in food processor before blending

Step 2. Next, it’s time to blend the spinach basil pesto together. In a food processor, add fresh basil, spinach, toasted walnuts, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, salt, pepper, garlic, red pepper flakes, and ¼ cup water. Puree all of the pesto ingredients until the mixture is smooth — it’s important to make sure you have no chunks left in the pesto!

Green pesto sauce in food processor bowl

Step 3. And that’s it! Now you have a healthy, tasty, and refreshing spinach basil pesto ready to go. Now what? Here are some of my favorite, super simple dishes that include pesto to give you some foodie inspiration:

  • Homemade pizza with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes
  • Pasta like gnocchi or spaghetti with bacon
  • Asparagus Pizza with pesto
  • Sous vide chicken tenders
  • Salads with pine nuts
  • Quinoa

Feel free to get creative with your application of this homemade pesto and try something new!

Pasta topped with pesto, basil, and mozzarella cheese on white plate

Do I really need a food processor?

You could use a mortar and pestle or other kinds of blending appliances if you do not have a processor. That being said, with this spinach and basil pesto recipe in particular, it really is much easier to use a good food processor with a little more oomph.

Can I use canned or frozen veggies?

Technically, yes, but I would not recommend! Not only will you taste the difference in your pesto, but fresher ingredients pack more nutrients than old or cooked ingredients. Avoid the urge to buy pre-made or processed foods as much as possible.

Green pesto sauce garnished with basil leaves in round bowl on wooden table

Are you a foodie, too?

Find me on Instagram to let me know what you think about this recipe @sipbitego.

And if you love the idea of eating restaurant-style food at home – subscribe to the Sip Bite Go channel.

Find new ways to enjoy your favorite food with sous vide cooking. Get inspired with my new book – The Home Chef’s Sous Vide Cookbook.

The perfect condiment makes the meal

Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a true believer in pairing the perfect condiment with a meal to make it feel “complete”. For real — I’ll order a dish at a restaurant just because I’m excited to try the sauce or dressing.

Here are some of my favorite kitchen supplies for making sauces on the fly:

  • Shun chef’s knife
  • Nice olive oil
  • Mandoline
  • A finishing salt, like Jacobsen’s black garlic sea salt
  • Bamboo cutting boards
  • Pyrex glass mixing bowls with lids
  • Aerogarden for having fresh herbs on hand
  • Mini mason jars for storing dressings in the fridge

Inspire the inner home chef in you. Grab a copy of my free Sous Vide Beginners ebook and free cooking with herbs ebook.

Print

Spinach Basil Pesto

Are you wondering how to take a boring meal from drab to fab? We're here to share our spinach basil pesto with you (it's vegan)!

Course Appetizer, Condiments, Dinner, lunch, Sauce, Side Dish, Snack
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 208 kcal
Author Jenna Passaro

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1 cup basil fresh
  • 4 cups spinach fresh
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lemon zest and juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp garlic
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup water

Instructions

  1. Toast the walnuts. Bring a small skillet on the stove to medium-low heat. Stir for about 3-5 minutes until walnuts are lightly browned and fragrant.

  2. Blend the spinach basil pesto. Add fresh basil, spinach, toasted walnuts, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, salt, pepper, garlic, red pepper flakes, and ¼ cup water to a food processor.

  3. Puree pesto ingredients until smooth.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

  • Do I really need a food processor? You could use a mortar and pestle or other kinds of blending appliances if you do not have a processor. That being said, with this spinach and basil pesto recipe in particular, it really is much easier to use a good food processor with a little more oomph.
  • Can I use canned or frozen veggies? Technically, yes, but I would not recommend! Not only will you taste the difference in your pesto, but fresher ingredients pack more nutrients than old or cooked ingredients. Avoid the urge to buy pre-made or processed foods as much as possible.
Nutrition Facts
Spinach Basil Pesto
Amount Per Serving
Calories 208 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Sodium 318mg14%
Potassium 287mg8%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 3167IU63%
Vitamin C 24mg29%
Calcium 65mg7%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Pasta, Recipes, Sauces & Condiments, Sauces & Dressings basil, crushed red pepper, lemon, spinach, walnuts

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

jenna passaro food blogger

I want to help you cook up your wildest dreams — in and out of the kitchen!

   

jenna passaro prepping sous vide steak

Years ago, I ditched a predictable career path with very few vacation days to pursue a life of fun, food and travel.

Along the way, I moved to Portland, launched this blog, wrote a cookbook, and started a family.

jenna on phone

Now my days are filled with recipe testing, creativity, family time, and chatting with foodie friends on my podcast.

Here at Sip Bite Go, you’ll learn my favorite restaurant style recipes. Get my secrets to making pizza at home and feel like a true home chef with my sous vide recipes.

Love to eat out and travel? I can totally relate. See my guide on where to eat in Portland, OR.

jenna passaro the home chef's sous vide cookbook

My new book is out! Take your kitchen skills to the next level with The Home Chef’s Sous Vide Cookbook.

 

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Recent Favs

  • Making Pizza At Home with Store Bought Dough
  • Fresh Trader Joe's Pizza Dough Recipes + Tips
  • The Best Store Bought Pizza Crust To Buy Pre Made
  • How to Sous Vide Frozen Steak [Sous Vide Meal Prep]
  • How to Sous Vide Chicken Breast Tenders
  • Chicken Sous Vide Temp And Time (See ALL Temperatures)
  • How To Make Pizza With Frozen Premade Pizza Crust

Footer

To provide the best user experience, this site uses cookies. Privacy Policy

Sip Bite Go
Recipe Index
Sous Vide Recipes

   

Sip Bite Go As Seen On

Work with Sip Bite Go
About | Contact
Privacy Policy
Get updates

Copyright © 2021 Sip Bite Go on the Cravings Pro Theme