Easy Spinach Basil Pesto Recipe

It takes only 5 minutes and just a few ingredients to make spinach basil pesto. This is the most versatile, delicious sauce around! It pairs well with so many different foods and I promise you won’t want to stop eating it!

I remember the first time I made my own spinach basil pesto. I was blown away by how easy it is to throw together. I’m talking FIVE minutes and just a few ingredients and a magical, delicious green sauce is born. And this super pretty, super green sauce tastes great on literally everything. We’ll get into that more later, but for now promise me that you’ll add this to your to-make list this week!

HOW TO MAKE PESTO SAUCE

STEP 1

Place the following ingredients in the bowl of a food processor:

• 1 cup fresh basil leaves

• 1 cup fresh spinach leaves

• 3 cloves raw garlic, chopped

• 1/4 cup pine nuts

Pulse until coarsely chopped.

STEP 2

With the food processor running, gradually 1/2 cup of olive oil and process until smooth.

STEP 3

Transfer the pesto to a bowl and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

RECIPE NOTES

• Replace basil with 1 cup fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves and 2 tablespoons fresh thyme.

• Substitute finely chopped walnuts for pine nuts.

• Add a squirt or two of lemon juice for an added bit of freshness.

• For those of you with nut allergies, replace the nuts in the recipe with 3 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese!

HOW LONG DOES PESTO LAST

Homemade pesto will last for 5-7 days when stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

CAN YOU FREEZE PESTO

One of the things I love about pesto is that it freezes great! Pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze until sold. Place the cubes into resealable bags and freeze for up to 6 months. It can also be frozen when store in a glass jar for up to 9 months.

HOW TO USE PESTO

Probably my FAVORITE thing about pesto is that it is so versatile! It goes well with so many different foods. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Use it as a spread on your next sandwich or wrap.

• Toss a few tablespoons of it with your next batch of pasta.

• Mix it into your next batch of vegetables!

• Use it in place of pizza sauce.

• Mix it into your breakfast eggs!

• Mix it into rice for a fun side dish!

• Make this Sun-dried Tomato and Pesto Dip from Fork in the Kitchen.

• Slow cooker pesto ranch chicken

IS PESTO KETO

Three tablespoons of traditional pesto contain approximately 2.2 grams of carbohydrates, so keep this in mind when considering whether or not it fits into the keto diet plan.

IS PESTO GLUTEN FREE

Yes! Pesto is a naturally gluten-free food and it is easily adaptable for people with food allergies.

CAN DOGS EAT PESTO

Only feed your dog a version of pesto that contains pine nuts as opposed to walnuts since walnuts are toxic to dogs. Also, avoid pesto with garlic and too much salt!

RICE COOKER VS. INSTANT POT FOR MAKING RICE

Both rice cookers and electric pressure cookers cook rice in the same way. Both use steam inside the pot to cook the rice. The main difference is that a pressure cooker has a sealing ring inside the lid that prevents any steam from escaping during the cooking process. This allows the appliance to maintain pressure levels inside the pot with greater accuracy, therefore cooking it more quickly.

Shortened cook time is an advantage when using an Instant Pot and typically it requires a bit less liquid than when using a rice cooker. However, if you are planning to cook a variety of different types such as wild, black or basmati rice frequently, a rice cooker might be the better option for you. Plus, rice cookers are more affordable and will take up less valuable counter space.

IS RINSING RICE IMPORTANT?

I don’t always take the time to rinse the rice before cooking it, but it should definitely be a part of the rice-making process. Simply add the rice to a fine mesh strainer and run cold water over it, tossing it around a bit using your fingers to get a thorough rinse. This process will ensure that there is no extra debris stuck to the rice. It also removes the starch, which will prevent your final product from being clumpy.

DELICIOUS QUICK AND EASY HOMEMADE SAUCES!

I’m obsessed with making savory homemade sauces! Down with store bought! Here are a handful of my favorites that you are sure to fall in love with. These all make for great gifts, too!

• Enchilada Sauce – Homemade Enchilada Sauce is more delicious than anything you can buy at the store and it is super easy to make. It only requires a handful of ingredients and is done in 15 minutes, with perfect flavor and consistency.

• Alfredo Sauce – Homemade Alfredo Sauce is super easy to make, done in under 10 minutes.

• Arby’s Sauce – A copycat recipe of the famous Arby’s Sauce that makes sandwiches sing! This zingy flavorful BBQ style sauce is so delicious

• Pizza Sauce – This homemade pizza sauce takes less than 25 minutes to make!

• Pasta Sauce – Spaghetti Sauce is super easy, meaty and hearty when made in an Instant Pot. Using a pressure cooker to cook pasta sauce makes it flavorful and quick to prepare, but tastes like is has simmered on the stove all day.

• Taco Sauce – Make your own taco sauce to use in a variety of Mexican dishes, such as tacos, burritos and taco salads. Ditch the store-bought version so you know EXACTLY what goes inside! Make homemade taco sauce with a handful of ingredients and in just a few minutes.