Pesto sauce, a versatile condiment originating from the Liguria region of Italy, has gained immense popularity worldwide due to its vibrant green color, nutty flavor, and aromatic fragrance. However, traditional pesto recipes often rely heavily on olive oil, resulting in a high-fat content. For those seeking a healthier alternative, creating a lower fat pesto sauce is possible by incorporating simple yet effective modifications to the classic recipe. This article aims to guide you through the process of making a delectable and nutritious pesto sauce, ensuring you enjoy its delightful taste without compromising on your health goals.
Let's cook with our recipes!
LOW FAT PESTO SAUCE
Pesto sauce without the oil.
Provided by Joan Donogh
Categories Main
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Combine stock and garlic and heat in the microwave on high for 5 minutes (or heat on the stove). Allow to cool.
- Chop basil in food processor. Add cooled stock, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Whirl until everything is finely chopped and blended.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta of your choice. Toss sauce with pasta. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Makes 4 servings
SKINNY PESTO
Pesto doesn't have to have so many calories! This lightened up version tastes just as good with less than half the calories and fat.
Provided by Kristen McCaffrey
Categories Condiment
Time 10m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Add everything to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
- Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks or freeze.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 2 tbsp., Calories 62 cal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Fat 6 g, Protein 2 g, Fiber 0 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Sodium 132 mg, Sugar 0 g
LOW FAT PESTO SAUCE
Pesto sauce is great, but it usually has olive oil, not chicken broth. This recipe substitutes with chicken broth.
Provided by Lorane Abari
Categories Sauces
Time 15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Combine stock and garlic and heat in the microwave on high for 5 minutes (or heat on the stove). Allow to cool.
- Chop basil in food processor. Add cooled stock, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Whirl until everything is finely chopped and blended.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta of your choice. Toss sauce with pasta. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Use as a topping for fish, chicken or potatoes also. Makes 4 servings.
HEALTHY CREAMY PESTO SAUCE
This is a recipe I make over and over--it's simple, fast, healthy, inexpensive and good for any season/occasion. I love creamy pesto sauces over pasta, but ya know those sauces ain't so healthy: high in fat, sodium, or both. Even those little packets of creamy pesto sauce in the "gravy" aisle aren't good for you. This sauce is better for you and even faster to make than one of those packets! You can adjust to taste or what you have on hand: I've used fat-free yoghurt, low fat yoghurt and (my favourite) homemade yoghurt--you can buy fresh at an Indian grocer. The recipe makes about a cup, which you can mix with cooked chicken or sauteed mushrooms (or both, like I do!) or steamed clams or steamed veggies and pour over enough cooked pasta for 2-4 people. I'll post other recipes with some of my favourite uses, but be creative!
Provided by bikerchick
Categories Sauces
Time 2m
Yield 2-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Mix yoghurt and pesto together in a small saucepan, stirring well to blend.
- Heat on low until warmed through (do not overheat).
- Add fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- That's it!
- Serve over your favourite hot pasta or other main dish, such as fish or chicken.
- (if you skip the heating step, this makes a good salad dressing, too).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 91.7, Fat 4.2, SaturatedFat 2.6, Cholesterol 15.9, Sodium 58.6, Carbohydrate 9.8, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 5.8, Protein 5.2
LOW CARB PESTO CREAM SAUCE RECIPE - (4.3/5)
Provided by aerin8
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Add the two ingredients to a pan and heat over medium heat. Once it simmers, turn to low heat and let it continue to simmer, reduce and thicken. You can make it quicker by cooking over high heat, but you need to watch it and stir it. When it's thick and gloopy, season to taste Calories Fat Protein Carbs Fiber SA's Net Carbs Per Serving: 558.05 59.28g 5.29g 4.6g 0.68g 0g 3.92g Pesto: Ingredients: 3 each (9g) garlic cloves, diced 2/3 cup (144g) extra virgin olive oil 2 cups (141g) packed, cleaned and dried fresh basil leaves (about a large bunch's worth) 2 tsp (10g) lemon juice 1/4 cup (33.75g) pine nuts, toasted 1/4 cup (25g) parmesan (reggiano) cheese, grated 1/4 cup (25g) pecorino (romano) cheese, grated salt and pepper, to taste Method: Add the garlic, salt and half of the olive oil to a food processor, with a sharp blade. Pulse the processor and blend for 30 seconds. Add the basil and lemon juice, then pulse for a further 30 seconds. Add the pine nuts and cheeses and then pulse to your desired consistency. If it's too thick, add more olive oil to adjust the consistency. I tend to like mine a bit on the paste-y rough side, but some like it smooth and saucy. Use immediately or store covered with a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil. This will help prevent the pesto from turning brown and will allow it to last longer in the fridge. 8 Servings Calories Fat Protein Carbs Fiber SA's Net Carbs Per Serving: 213.29 22.46g 2.9g 1.7g 0.51g 0g 1.19g
LIGHTER BASIL PESTO
Basil pesto is one of my favorite foods, especially in the summer. Unfortunately pesto is very high in fat and calories, so I have been working to create a lower fat and calorie version. This pesto is creamy and delicious without the guilt! This recipe is also great with any type of stock or nuts that you have at home.
Provided by Jtallent
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes
Time 15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Chop basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor. Add ricotta cheese to the basil mixture and process. Repeat with Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Add vegetable broth and process until sauce is smooth. Add more broth if pesto is too thick.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 42 calories, Carbohydrate 1.3 g, Cholesterol 4.6 mg, Fat 3.1 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 55.6 mg, Sugar 0.2 g
Tips:
- To make a lower-fat pesto sauce, use less oil and more vegetables. Good options include spinach, kale, and zucchini.
- If you don't have pine nuts, you can use walnuts or almonds instead.
- If you don't have fresh basil, you can use dried basil. However, fresh basil will give your pesto sauce a much better flavor.
- You can add a little bit of lemon juice or white wine vinegar to your pesto sauce to brighten the flavor.
- Pesto sauce can be used as a condiment for pasta, pizza, sandwiches, and salads.
Conclusion:
Pesto sauce is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. By using less oil and more vegetables, you can make a lower-fat pesto sauce that is just as flavorful as the traditional version. Experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique pesto sauce.
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