Spinach Pesto

Spinach Pesto Sauce combines spinach leaves, fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. This sauce is a slightly different version than our classic basil pesto sauce.

Overhead view of four small containers of pesto with spinach.

Homemade Pesto Sauce

We are nuts over homemade pesto sauce and this version is a slight adaption of our Homemade Basil Pesto Sauce recipe. This recipe is for when you want to make the pesto sauce go further using half basil and half spinach. If you don’t have a large pot of fresh basil on your porch like we do, this one might come in handy.

Of course, you can make this recipe using 100% spinach leaves instead of using basil. You could also use a different type of nut like walnuts or pecans.

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Ingredients Used:

  • Greens – spinach leaves and fresh basil leaves
  • Garlic Cloves
  • Pine Nuts – Make sure you toast the pine nuts before using.
  • Shredded Parmesan Cheese
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
The labeled ingredients for spinach pesto.

How to make Spinach Pesto Sauce:

Step 1
Combine ingredients. In the bowl of a large food processor, combine the dry ingredients – fresh spinach leaves and basil leaves, garlic, toasted pine nuts, and shredded parmesan cheese. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 2
Process ingredients. Process ingredients until the coarse crumbs – about 30 seconds.

Step 3
Add olive oil. While the food processor is running, drizzle the olive oil into the bowl through the opening on the top of the processor. Blend until smooth.

Step 4
Store pesto sauce. Store the pesto sauce in your refrigerator for up to one week or so.

A food processor of pureed pesto sauce.

Freeze Small Portions

Before the beginning of my blogging days, I would have never considered making pesto sauce. Now that it’s a staple in our home, I can’t think of a better sauce to make and keep in small batches in my freezer.

Using pesto really enhances the flavor of so many recipes. You can’t go wrong using it, and you will impress everyone at the dinner table.

Recipe FAQs:

How can I adjust the consistency of the pesto sauce?

You can adjust the consistency of spinach pesto sauce by adding more olive oil for a thinner sauce or reducing the amount for a thicker consistency.

How can I use spinach pesto sauce?

Spinach pesto sauce is versatile and can be used as a pasta sauce, spread on sandwiches or wraps, drizzled over grilled vegetables or meats, or mixed into soups or dips for added flavor.

What’s the best way to store pesto?

You can store pesto sauce in the refrigerator for about one week. After that, it’s best to store it in the freezer.

Side view of four small containers of spinach pesto.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

xoxo ~Sue

Closeup on small containers of spinach pesto.

Spinach Pesto Sauce Recipe

Spinach Pesto Sauce combines spinach leaves, fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. This sauce is a slightly different version than our classic basil pesto sauce.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 1/4 cup servings
Calories: 349kcal
Author: Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

  • 2 cups spinach leaves – packed
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves – packed
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese – freshly shredded
  • 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper – to taste

Instructions

  • Combine ingredients. In the bowl of a large food processor, combine the dry ingredients – fresh spinach leaves and basil leaves, garlic, toasted pine nuts, and shredded parmesan cheese. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • Process ingredients. Process ingredients until the coarse crumbs – about 30 seconds.
  • Add olive oil. While the food processor is running, drizzle the olive oil into the bowl through the opening on the top of the processor. Blend until smooth.
  • Store pesto sauce. Store the pesto sauce in your refrigerator for up to one week or so.

Notes

You can store pesto sauce in the refrigerator for about one week. After that, it’s best to store it in the freezer.

Nutrition

Calories: 349kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 1120IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Suebeehomemaker or tag #suebeehomemaker!

One Comment

  1. Whoaza! 5 ingredients and incredible taste! Put me in coach! Love it.

5 from 1 vote

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