Best 7 Lighter Spinach Pesto Sauce Recipes
Spinach pesto sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used on a variety of dishes, from pasta to pizza to chicken. However, traditional pesto sauce can be quite heavy, due to the large amount of oil and nuts it contains. If you're looking for a lighter version of this classic sauce, there are a few things you can do. This article will provide you with some tips on how to make a lighter spinach pesto sauce that is just as flavorful and delicious as the traditional version, without all the extra calories and fat.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
SPINACH PESTO
Serve this vibrant pesto on pasta, pizza, sandwiches and more. If you don't have fresh oregano on hand, you can omit it. -Susan Westerfield, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 15m
Yield 2 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place the first 6 ingredients in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add the walnuts, lemon juice and zest; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream., Serve desired amount of pesto with pasta. Transfer remaining pesto to ice cube trays. Cover and freeze up to 1 month., To use frozen pesto: Thaw in the refrigerator for 3 hours. Serve with pasta.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 177 calories, Fat 18g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 205mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
PASTA WITH SPINACH PESTO SAUCE
A healthy, low-fat alternative to high-fat pesto sauce. Can also be made with basil or cilantro.
Provided by Sheila Martin
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 45m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, in food processor or blender, combine spinach, tofu, lemon juice, garlic, broth, cheese, pepper, and Italian seasoning, process until smooth. Set aside.
- Spray a large non-stick saute pan with cooking spray. Over medium heat, cook onions and mushrooms until tender. Reduce heat to low, add pesto mixture and heat until hot.
- Toss pasta with sauce and bacon bits. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. NOTE: If sauce seems too thick, thin to desired consistency with pasta cooking water or broth.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 450.8 calories, Carbohydrate 76.7 g, Cholesterol 11.1 mg, Fat 6.5 g, Fiber 6.5 g, Protein 25.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 416.6 mg, Sugar 5.8 g
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
LIGHTER PESTO
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
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
SPINACH PESTO PASTA RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: chicken breast, salt, pepper, spaghetti, fresh spinach, walnuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, lemon juice, olive oil
Provided by Hitomi Aihara
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a food processor, add all ingredients to make pesto and blend until walnuts are finely blended.
- In a hot pan, add olive oil and cook chicken breast. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove the chicken and slice.
- Combine the chicken and pesto sauce into spaghetti and mix until the sauce fully coats the pasta.
- Serve and top it off with parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 627 calories, Carbohydrate 45 grams, Fat 39 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 23 grams, Sugar 2 grams
LIGHTER SPINACH PESTO SAUCE
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
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.
LIGHT PESTO SAUCE
My pesto sauce uses less oil than most pesto sauces. This makes it thicker, but it also makes it a lot lighter. NOTE: This recipe works perfectly if you want to substitute cilantro for basil, and if you use walnuts, almonds, or pecans in place of the pine nuts.
Provided by Late Night Gourmet
Categories Vegetable
Time 10m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Peel skin from garlic cloves, and chop into big chunks.
- Using a food processor, pulse basil, garlic, and nuts several times until finely chopped.
- Add cheese and ¼ cup of the olive oil, and pulse until blended.
- Pesto will be thick, so add more olive oil if desired for a looser consistency.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 64.1, Fat 6.8, SaturatedFat 1, Cholesterol 0.7, Sodium 133.5, Carbohydrate 0.5, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.1, Protein 0.7
Tips:
- For a nut-free pesto, substitute sunflower seeds or roasted chickpeas for the pine nuts.
- To make a vegan pesto, omit the Parmesan cheese and use nutritional yeast instead.
- For a more intense flavor, roast the pine nuts before adding them to the food processor.
- If you don't have a food processor, you can make pesto by hand. Simply chop the ingredients finely with a knife.
- Pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Conclusion:
Lighter spinach pesto sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's perfect for pasta, pizza, grilled chicken, or fish. It can also be used as a dip for vegetables or crackers. The best part about this recipe is that it's much lighter than traditional pesto sauce, without sacrificing any of the flavor. So if you're looking for a healthy and flavorful sauce, give this recipe a try.
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