Best 4 Lighter Pesto Recipes

Pesto is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used on a variety of dishes, from pasta to grilled meats. However, traditional pesto recipes are often high in calories and fat due to the use of olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. If you're looking for a lighter version of pesto that still has plenty of flavor, there are a few simple substitutions you can make.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

LIGHTER BASIL PESTO

Lighter Basil Pesto image

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

Ingredients

2 cups fresh basil
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon pine nuts
¼ cup part-skim ricotta cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons olive oil
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable broth, or as needed

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

LIGHTER PESTO

Lighter Pesto image

With fresh basil at its summer peak, we can add more basil and less oil and nuts to this recipe.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes

Time 10m

Yield Makes 3/4 cup

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

3 cups tightly packed fresh basil leaves (2 ounces total)
3 tablespoons walnut pieces
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

In a food processor, combine basil, walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons water; season with salt and pepper. Puree until a paste forms.
With motor running, add oil in a thin stream. Process until very smooth, about 1 minute.

Nutrition Facts : Fat 16 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 11 g

BASIL PESTO - "LIGHTER VERSION"

Basil Pesto -

A lighter version of the clasic pesto. This recipe is great for all the beautiful, fresh basil available in the summer

Provided by Kozmic Blues

Categories Sauces

Time 5m

Yield 3/4 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 -4 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Steps:

Add nuts and garlic to blender and pulse until minced.
Add olive oil, pulse a few time more.
Add basil leaves, cheese, salt and blend until smooth.
Scrape sides of blender as you go to make sure everthing mixes well.
Serve with your favorite pasta.

LIGHTER SPINACH PESTO SAUCE

Lighter Spinach Pesto Sauce image

I tried this pesto sauce at my sister-in-law's house and thought it was really good. It has much less oil than a traditional pesto and the picante sauce gives it a nice kick.

Provided by Chris from Kansas

Categories Sauces

Time 10m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups fresh spinach
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup picante sauce, divided
3 cloves garlic

Steps:

Reserve 1/2 cup picante sauce.
Blend all remaining ingredients in blender or food processor.
Fold in remaining picante sauce.
Mix with hot cooked pasta.
Refrigerate until ready to use.

Tips:

Use fresh basil: Fresh basil leaves are essential for making a flavorful pesto. If you can't find fresh basil, you can use dried basil, but the flavor will be less intense.
Don't overprocess the pesto: Overprocessing the pesto will make it bitter. Pulse the ingredients in a food processor or blender until they are just combined.
Use a variety of nuts: You can use any type of nuts to make pesto, but pine nuts are the traditional choice. Other good options include almonds, walnuts, and pistachios.
Add a little cheese: A little bit of cheese can add a delicious richness to pesto. Parmesan cheese is a classic choice, but you can also use other types of hard cheeses, such as Asiago or Romano.
Use good quality olive oil: The olive oil you use in your pesto will make a big difference in the flavor. Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

Conclusion:

Pesto is a versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be used as a spread on sandwiches or crackers, as a dressing for salads or pasta, or as a marinade for chicken or fish. With so many different ways to use it, pesto is a great addition to any kitchen.