I’m so excited to share this simple-to-make, outrageously delicious pesto sauce! So decadent tasting and so much healthier than traditional pesto. Normally, most pesto sauce is made with all basil and a lot of olive oil, pine nuts, and cheese. This skinny recipe has a ton of fresh spinach leaves, some fresh basil, and just a small amount of oil, pine nuts, and cheese. It’s a fantastic way to incorporate more spinach into your diet. Each tablespoon has 54 calories and 3 grams of fat. Since it’s so rich-tasting, for most uses, you’ll only need 2 tablespoons a serving. See serving tips below.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
- 3 cups fresh spinach leaves, tightly packed (~6 cups loosely packed)
- 2 cups fresh basil, tightly packed (~4 cups loosely packed)
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
- A small amount of salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Toast pine nuts under the broiler for about 20 seconds.
- Place toasted pine nuts and all remaining ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until blended. Scape down sides with a rubber spatula. Blend again, until smooth. Add more salt or pepper, if desired.
- This may be heated or served at room temperature. See serving tips, below.
Notes
Makes 20 tablespoons
Healthy Benefits
Spinach is considered to be one of the “superfoods.” No wonder, it’s rich in iron, vitamins A, C, and beta-carotene. Garlic promotes circulation and lowers cholesterol. It also contains sulfur compounds that may help to prevent cancer growth.
Serving Tips
Serve as a dip with veggies or reduced-fat crackers. Top your favorite pasta or top pasta with marinara and pesto sauce. Spread over chicken breasts or fish and bake. Spread pesto and marinara sauce over chicken and bake. For most of these ideas, you’ll only need 2 tablespoons. The possibilities are endless!
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 1-Blue
WW SmartPoints 1-Green
WW Points Plus 1
Healthy Benefits
Spinach is considered to be one of the “superfoods.” No wonder, it’s rich in iron, vitamins A, C, and beta-carotene. Garlic promotes circulation and lowers cholesterol. It also contains sulfur compounds that may help to prevent cancer growth.
Serving Tips
Serve as a dip with veggies or reduced-fat crackers. Top your favorite pasta or top pasta with marinara and pesto sauce. Spread over chicken breasts or fish and bake. Spread pesto and marinara sauce over chicken and bake. For most of these ideas, you’ll only need 2 tablespoons. The possibilities are endless!
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 1-Blue
WW SmartPoints 1-Green
WW Points Plus 1
| SKINNY FACTS: for 1 tablespoon 54 calories, 3g fat, 0.5g sat. fat, 1mg chol, 2g prot, 6g carbs, 4g fiber, 32g sod, 0g sugar |
| FACTS: for SmartPoints (1 tablespoon) 29 calories, 0.5g sat. fat, 0g sugar, 1g protein |
Skinny Facts
Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 54kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 32mgFiber: 4gBlue Smart Points: 1Green Smart Points: 1Plus Points: 1
Hello! If stored in refrigerator , how long will it stay fresh? Also can it stay fresh in freezer and used another time?
Anna Mae, this pesto will keep for at least 3 days in the fridge. The top will turn a bit dark but once you mix it the bright green color will return. To freeze pesto, pour into ice cube tray and place in the freezer for 2 hours. Remove frozen pesto cubes and store in a resealable plastic bag until future use. Pesto will last up to 3 months frozen.
Enjoy!
My best,
Nancy