Spinach Walnut Pesto
In short: A bright green pesto of baby spinach, walnuts, garlic, lemon and Parmesan that is mild, nutty and ready in ten minutes for pasta and sandwiches. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 155 kcal
Spinach pesto is the mild, easy cousin of the classic basil sauce. Baby spinach is available all year, costs less than basil and blends into a smooth green sauce, while walnuts replace the pricier pine nuts and add a slightly bitter richness. A little basil or parsley and a squeeze of lemon keep the flavor lively. Toss it with hot pasta, spread it on sandwiches or toast, stir it into soup or spoon it over eggs and roasted vegetables.
Instructions
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, shaking often, until fragrant. Let them cool for a few minutes.
- Put the walnuts, garlic and Parmesan in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
- Add the spinach, basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pulse several times, pushing the leaves down, until finely chopped.
- With the processor running, pour in the olive oil in a steady stream until the pesto is thick and smooth. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water if it is too thick.
- Taste and adjust with salt, pepper or more lemon. For pasta, loosen about 4 tablespoons of pesto with 2 to 3 tablespoons of hot pasta water per portion.
- Use at once, or spoon into a jar and cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil to keep it green.
Tips
- Freeze the pesto in ice cube trays, then keep the cubes in a bag for up to 3 months. Thaw a cube or two for each portion of pasta.
- For a vegan version, leave out the cheese and add 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast and a little extra salt. Almonds or sunflower seeds can replace the walnuts.
Questions and answers
How long does spinach pesto keep?
It keeps for 4 to 5 days in a jar in the fridge, with a layer of olive oil on top. Freeze it for longer storage.
Why did my pesto turn brown?
Cut spinach and herbs darken when exposed to air. Lemon juice and a layer of oil slow this, and blanching the spinach for 20 seconds before blending keeps the color very green.
What can I use spinach pesto for?
Stir it into hot pasta, spread it on sandwiches and pizza bases, or spoon it onto eggs, fish, chicken and roasted vegetables. Thinned with water or oil, it also works as a dressing.
How long does it take to make Spinach Walnut Pesto?
About 15 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Spinach Walnut Pesto?
About 155 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 155 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 230 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
