Spinach Pesto is one of the easiest sauces to make! It comes together in minutes yet is so gourmet. This is also a great way to use fresh spinach that may need some quick attention before going bad.
If you know how to make your own sauces, endless possibilities open up in the culinary world. This pesto sauce recipe is a variation of the first “gourmet” sauce I ever made back in college about 15 years ago. I’ve enjoyed pesto ever since. There is so much you can add it to: pizza, pasta, chicken, lasagna, calzones and more…. In this version of pesto, I have used spinach.
You can take half of the pesto sauce, add another 1/3 to 3/4 cup of olive oil to taste, and mix it in to your favorite cooked pasta (freeze the rest of the pesto sauce for a rainy day).
Easy Spinach Pesto Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups of loose fresh spinach can also do a combination of basil and spinach
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for dairy-free
- 1 T minced garlic or more as desired
- optional 1 T dried basil (fresh is better, but I didn't have any at the time)
- optional 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
Instructions
-
Put all ingredients in a blender, and blend until you receive the desired consistency.
-
You can store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze with a layer of olive oil on top for up to 6 months.
-
You can thin out the pesto with olive oil if you wish. Add pesto to prepared pasta, pizza, sandwich or whatever you wish.
Go here for the complete list of recipes. Updated 4/14.
Have you tried…
or
This is a good way to use up fresh spinach. I keep it in the house to make smoothies, but sometimes it’s too cold or I’m too busy… and I abhor food waste. Greetings from Simple Lives Thursday.
I hear you about wasting, Melissa. Thanks for sharing and visiting!
I love pesto – and with spinach is delicious!
We love it, too, Laura. Thank you for visiting!
Hi Sonja, I just hopped by from Raw Foods Thursday to see your very appealing spinach pesto sauce recipe. I can imagine using this delectable sauce on my zucchini pasta! I can’t wait to make this.
Thanks, Deborah. Zucchini pasta and pesto sounds like a great combination! Thanks for the idea!
I’ve made Pesto with many different green thingees but never considered using spinach … such a great idea! Thanks so much for pointing me in this direction.
Hi Kate. The spinach pesto is so tasty, and healthy, too!! Thank you for visiting.
This looks great! You say to put it on prepared pizza. Does this mean you usually make pizza with the traditional red sauce and then use this pesto for a dipping sauce? Or do you use this spinach pesto in place of the red sauce? I make a hot wing pizza with wing sauce in place of red sauce. I also make ranch pizza and alfredo pizza too. I guess you can see why I’m so excited to try this pesto. Thanks so much! P.S. I found you on Cheerios & Lattes
Hi Julie. I use the pesto in place of red sauce, so there is no red sauce. Your pizzas sound great, too. Blessings!
Thanks!
I love pesto! I love easy!! Have a great weekend!!
Thanks, Wendy. Gotta love easy, quick, yet gourmet! Thank you for visiting!
Love all the ideas for how to use this pesto–it looks so good!
Sonja, have you thought about sharing this recipe on the Spinach Recipe Round Up at Gnowfglins? I’m just an avid reader, but think this would be an addition that many would appreciate.
Here’s the link, if you want to check it out: http://gnowfglins.com/2012/05/11/spinach-seasonal-recipe-round-up/
Hi Holly, Thanks for the heads up and for stopping by! I am going to check it out now!
It’s always great to have a good pesto recipe in your pocket. Thanks for sharing this week at Allergy-Free Wednesdays! We’d love for you to join us again next week.
Have a great weekend! ~Michelle, AFW Hostess