Spinach Pesto Recipe in 5 Minutes

I’m a big fan of pesto recipes, especially when I can mix simple ingredients together and make a spinach pesto recipe in 5 minutes! These days, there’s no need to worry about the hassle of cleaning fresh spinach, which sometimes can be filled with grit and sand. Bags of baby spinach are easy to find in the produce section of any grocery store.

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Spinach Pesto Recipe in 5 Minutes

This simple spinach pesto recipe is a favorite because it’s versatile and has a milder flavor than traditional pesto. Fresh lemon juice adds a little bit of acid. Pistachios instead of the traditional nut, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese add a delicious nutty flavor. Together, these simple ingredients create a pesto with a vibrant green color that is fresh and delicious.

Equipment for Homemade Pesto

• Food processor (for combining baby spinach, lemon, pistachios)
• 1-cup measuring cup
• Teaspoon measuring spoon
• Tablespoon measuring spoon
• Medium bowl (perfect for pesto recipes when combining finished pesto with cheese)

Ingredients for Homemade Spinach Pesto

• 1 Bag baby spinach
• 1/4 cup pistachios (for best results, use roasted lightly salted pistachios)
• 1 to 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (adds extra bright flavor)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
• 1/3 cup of high quality extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Lemon

How to Make a Simple Spinach Pesto Recipe

In the bowl of a food processor, combine baby spinach, pistachios, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

With the food processor running slowly, add the extra virgin olive oil. Process until smooth and creamy.

Transfer the pesto sauce to a medium bowl. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, and black pepper. Season the pesto sauce with more salt and pepper to taste.

The pesto can be made 2 days in advance. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for best results.

Thin spaghetti, tossed with these simple ingredients, topped with shrimp, makes an easy weeknight meal.

Cindy’s Tip: Be sure to grate extra Parmesan over the finished dish. As an Italian girl, I can tell you, you can never have too much Parmesan. Trust me!

Variations for This Spinach Homemade Pesto Recipe

I make this easy spinach homemade pesto recipe in two ways.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy this delicious spinach pesto recipe with its fresh flavors is to spoon it over grilled chicken or fish. The milder flavor of this pesto is the perfect complement to these dishes without overpowering them.

Other times, I make a more traditional pesto by adding toasted pine nuts and 1 to 2 finely chopped fresh garlic cloves to the fresh spinach. The raw garlic combined with the pine nuts, cheese, and lemon adds great flavor and depth when I’m looking for a bolder pesto sauce.

Storage

The best way to freeze this easy spinach pesto recipe is in an airtight container or a zip-top freezer bag for up to 3 months.

For small individual portions, store the pesto in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer the cube to a freezer-safe bag.

An ice cube tray is a great way to have fresh flavors on hand to top grilled steaks, burgers, chicken, and fish.

How to Use This Easy Spinach Pesto Recipe with Pasta

When making pesto recipes with pasta, I always reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. This is especially important when serving pesto with spaghetti, thin spaghetti, or angel hair pasta.

• The starch in the pasta water helps thin the pesto sauce, so it spreads evenly throughout the pasta and coats each strand. Without it, you may end up with clumps of your pesto instead of a meal filled with good food and fresh flavor.
• I add a large splash of pasta water at a time until I reach the perfect consistency. The sauce should lightly coat the pasta without being too thick or too thin.
• Another benefit of saving pasta water is for leftovers. Store the extra in an airtight container in the refrigerator and add a splash when reheating the leftover pasta. It helps loosen the pasta and brings the sauce back to life.

Why You’ll Love This Spinach Pesto Recipe

This spinach pesto recipe comes together in 5 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights, quick lunches, and weekend meals. Whether you make it with pistachios or choose the traditional pine nuts and raw garlic version, it’s a sauce you will reach for again and again.

Other Posts of Interest

10 Minute Sage Butter

10 Minute Chive Butter

Biscoff Icebox Cake

Items of Interest

Food Processor – HERE

Dutch Oven – HERE

My Favorite Baking Sheets – HERE