This homemade spinach pesto recipe is a deliciously nutritious and versatile sauce that can be used in various dishes, including pasta, on roast veggies or even as a spread for sandwiches!

Close-up of a bowl filled with green pesto sauce. A wooden spoon is partially submerged in the pesto. Green leaves are visible in the background.

As I am sure you know by now (or if this is your first time here) I love to make as much as possible from scratch. Yes, I love the convenience of some of the shop-bought options but I also really enjoy making homemade when I can. This spinach pesto recipe is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional basil pesto and shop-bought alternatives. Packed with nutrients from the spinach, this pesto sauce is perfect for tossing with pasta, cooking with your protein or as a base for a number of tasty dishes.

Close-up of a bowl filled with green pesto sauce. A wooden spoon and Green leaves are visible in the background on blue fabric

Why Add Spinach to Your Pesto?

Adding spinach to your homemade pesto sauces offers several benefits:

Nutrient boost: Spinach is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, significantly enhancing the nutritional profile of your homemade pesto. It’s also high in fiber which is great for blood sugar management!
Flavour balance: I can sometimes find the basil quite overpowering in pesto sauces. The addition of the spinach helps to mellow the strong flavour of the basil, creating a more balanced pesto.
Cost-effective: Spinach is more affordable than basil, making it a great budget-friendly option.
Increased volume: Spinach also adds bulk to your pesto, allowing you to make a larger quantity.

By adding spinach to your pesto, you can create a delicious and nutritious pesto sauce that makes a healthy and tasty addition to your meals.

Ingredients for Spinach Pesto Recipe

looking down on the ingredients for spinch and basil pesto. spinach leaves, basil leaves, pine nuts garlic cloves, olive oil and parmesan cheese

fresh spinach
fresh basil leaves
pine nuts
garlic
Parmesan cheese
extra-virgin olive oil
lemon
Salt and black pepper

Equipment Needed

Food Processor

Weighing Scales

Spatula

How to make Spinach Pesto

This spinach pesto recipe is so easy and it means you will have a delicious and nutritious pesto with spinach that can be enjoyed throughout the week.

looking down into a blender are the ingredients for spinch and basil pesto. spinach leaves, basil leaves, pine nuts garlic cloves and parmesan cheese

Add the spinach, basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper to a food processor and blitz.

looking down into a blender at the green spinach peato with a purple silicone spatula to the side.

Pulse until the ingredients are coarsely chopped, then gradually pour in the olive oil while blending until smooth.

Adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Tips

If you can’t fit all of the spinach in 1st time get in as much as you can, blitz and then add the remaining spinach leaves.

Use a spatula to scrape and push the ingredients down at the sides halfway through.

For a nut-free option, substitute pine nuts with sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

To make this pesto recipe suitable for vegans or vegetarians substitute the parmesan cheese with a vegan hard cheese alternative

Close-up of a bowl filled with green spinach pesto sauce. A wooden spoon is partially submerged in the pesto. Green leaves are visible in the background.

Storing Your Homemade Pesto

To ensure your homemade spinach basil pesto stays fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should be kept for about a week. For longer storage, you can freeze it.

To freeze spinach basil pesto, portion it into ice cube trays or small containers. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag. This method allows you to thaw only the amount you need.

Spinach Pesto Recipe Ideas

Your homemade spinach and basil pesto can be used in various dishes. Here are a few ideas to start you off:

Pasta – Toss with your favourite pasta for a satisfying spinach and pesto pasta dish. And if you are looking for a little guidance on White Pasta Alternatives then make sure to check out the linked article.
Pizza – Spread a layer of pesto on your pizza base before adding toppings. For a lower-carb option use a tortilla base or a wholewheat pizza crust
Grilled chicken or fish – smother a few dollops of pesto over chicken or fish before cooking for a burst of flavour.
Vegetable side dish – Toss with roasted or steamed vegetables for a quick and easy meal. Try my Roasted Pesto Veggie Recipe
Sandwich spread – Use as a spread for sandwiches or wraps.
Soup topper – Add a dollop of pesto to your soup for a rich and creamy flavour. I particularly love this pesto sauce with my High Protein Tomato Soup and Homemade Chunky Vegetable Soup

Diabetes Note

This spinach pesto recipe offers a delicious and nutritious option for individuals managing diabetes, as it allows for control over ingredients making it a versatile addition to a balanced meal plan.

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Other Great Homemade Sauces to try:

Rich Tomato Sauce

Easy Base Curry Sauce

Homemade Green Tikka Curry Paste

Easy Homemade Gluten Free Bechamel Sauce Recipe