Spinach Pesto | A 5-Minute Italian Condiment! (2024)

This garlicky spinach pesto with hints of walnuts and fresh herbs is perfect for spreading on toasty bread or tossing with pasta. Savory parmesan and lemon juice make it just like the real deal!

Why You’ll Love This Spinach Pesto Recipe

You’ll never get store-bought pesto again after you see how easy and authentic this homemade version is!

• Convenient. It lasts for quite a bit, so it’s great for keeping in the fridge when you want to add more flavor to your meals.
• Quick. This homemade pesto is ready in just 5 minutes.
• Beginner-friendly. You only need to blend everything together.
• Versatile. Use it for pasta, sandwiches, steak, and even salads!

What You’ll Need

Lemon juice and zest help brighten things up. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.

• Baby spinach – You can use regular spinach but remove the stems.
• Fresh basil – It needs to be green, not purple.
• Freshparsley – Choose parsley with bright green leaves and no yellow stems.
• Walnuts – Feel free to use pine nuts.
• Parmesan cheese – Make sure it’s freshly-grated, not the kind in a bottle.
• Garlic – Avoid garlic powder because it’ll make the pesto grainy.
• Fresh lemon juice – Reduce the amount by half if you use limes.
• Lemon zest – It needs to be fresh zest.
• Salt and pepper – Kosher salt and freshly-cracked pepper are best.
• Extra virgin olive oil– This is also referred to as “EVOO.”

How to Make Spinach Pesto

All you need to do is blend! Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for more detailed instructions.

• Process it. Add all of the ingredients to the food processor. Pulse until completely smooth. Scrape the sides of the food processor as needed.
• Season and adjust. Add more salt and pepper as needed. Adjust the consistency to taste by adding a bit more olive oil and mixing well. Serve with your favorite pasta and enjoy!

Ways to Use Spinach Basil Pesto

Herby spinach pesto with basil and spicy parsley takes on new life depending on what it’s added to. Here are some ideas:

• Toast: You can spread it on breakfast toasts like my Avocado Toast or Savory Feta Cheese French Toast.
• Pasta: Cook (and drain) your favorite short or long pasta and stir in 1-3 tablespoons pesto while it’s still hot. Add more sauce to taste.
• Sandwiches: Spread the toasty bread in my Lasagna Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with 1-2 tablespoons pesto.
• Salads: Drizzle it over my Macedonian-Style Grape Caprese Salad.
• Steak: Serve it as a dipping sauce for my Reverse Sear Steak or New York Strip Steak.
• Chicken: Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken and Roast Chicken are some of my favorite.

Proper Storage

• Place it in an airtight container or jar and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. This cheesy pesto can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.

More Homemade Sauce Recipes

• Honey Mustard Sauce Recipe
• Blender Hollandaise Sauce Recipe
• Quick and Easy Enchilada Sauce Recipe
• Homemade Alfredo Sauce with Basil Pesto