Simple Spinach Almond Pesto with Basil

Healthy pesto recipe that’s delicious without added calories from extra oil. Use this spinach almond pesto to make pesto pasta. Or drizzle it on your favorite soups and salads for a flavor boost.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I don’t know if this recipe can be technically called a pesto.

Wondering WHY?

A classic pesto recipe is made using fresh uncooked leafy greens like spinach/kale or herbs like basil/parsley/mint.

We make this pesto by sautéing spinach with almonds. This not only removes the raw taste of spinach but also enhances the pesto flavors.

Roasting garlic multiplies the flavor profile of this pesto recipe like the roasted garlic sauce for pasta.

We also add fresh basil and chilies to retain the “pesto” freshness and a depth of flavor.

Isn’t it thrilling to bend the rules, especially if the outcome is delicious? 😉

Guess what?

This basil almond pesto with spinach satisfies your daily requirement of leafy greens and fibre from spinach, in addition to protein and calcium from almonds and parmesan. More about the health benefits of this almond pesto later.

Now let’s take a look at what you need and how to make this healthy pesto.

Video

Ingredients

(You can find the exact measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this page.)

• Spinach: Baby spinach works great here. If not available, use the regular one.
• Almonds: I’ve used almonds with skin here. If you want a very smooth and creamy pesto, use blanched almonds.
• Basil: Use Italian basil for an authentic flavor, or Thai basil for a peppery flavor (bending rules again!)
• Lemon: I’ve used lemon zest in addition to lemon juice for added citrus flavor.
• Cheese: I use Parmigiano-Reggiano which is more flavorful than parmesan.
• Chillies: Fresh green chilies, jalapenos or bird’s eye chilies, anything works here. If none of these are available, use red chili flakes. Chili flakes and pasta are inseparable (refer: spicy spaghetti arrabiatta)!
• Olive oil: Use regular olive oil to sauté and extra-virgin olive oil to drizzle on the pesto while blending. This will ensure that you enjoy the maximum flavor and health benefits of olive oil.

Heating extra virgin olive oil destroys its nutrients and defeats the purpose. That’s why I use them mostly in salads and pesto recipes.

How To Make Spinach Almond Pesto: Step by step photos

Sauté

1. Roughly chop garlic and green chilies. Heat oil in a pan and sauté almonds along with the chopped garlic and chillies.
2. Add spinach and stir for a couple of minutes until they are wilted.

Blend

1. Allow the sautéed spinach mixture to cool down.
2. Place them in a food processor jar. Add fresh basil, lemon zest, and grated parmesan.
3. Add lemon juice.
4. Blend until you get a coarse paste.
5. While the processor is still running, slowly drizzle olive oil.
6. Blend until you get the pesto of desired texture: very smooth and creamy, smooth or coarse.

Personally, I love my pesto coarse with tiny bits of crunchy nuts. After all, pesto is all about going nuts 😀

Tips To Make The Best Almond Spinach Pesto

• Parmigiano-Reggiano: Always buy blocks of cheese and grate them whenever required. Freshly grated cheese makes a WORLD of difference to the pesto.
• Spinach: Sauté the spinach on medium flame only for a couple of minutes. Remove from heat as soon as it’s wilted. This will preserve the flavor as well as the nutritional benefits of spinach.
• Pesto Pasta: This recipe gives you about 1 cup of pesto that can be used with 250 to 300 grams (8.8 to 10.6 oz) of uncooked pasta. You get delicious pesto pasta with lots of sauce that can serve 4 to 5 people.

Common Questions About Basil Almond Pesto With Spinach

Health Benefits of Basil Almond Pesto with Spinach

Benefits of Spinach

(Source)

Spinach is a superstar among green leafy vegetables. This low-calorie food is full of nutrients that are good for your body in several ways.

• Boosts hydration: It is a vegetable that’s nearly all water.
• Curbs appetite: It lowers levels of a hunger hormone and raises hormones that make you feel full.
• Helps prevent osteoporosis: Spinach has calcium, manganese, and vitamin K, which are important for healthy bones.
• Cuts risk of anemia: Spinach is a vegetarian source of iron which helps red blood cells bring oxygen to different areas of your body.
• Strengthens the Immune System: Spinach has vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and magnesium that support your immune system.
• Assists Baby Development: It is rich in folate and vitamin B6 that’s important for the baby’s development in the womb.
• Keeps Eyes Healthy: Carotenoids and vitamin A in spinach support good vision.
• Prevents cell damage: It has antioxidants that fight free radicals.
• Supports heart health: Inorganic nitrate and potassium in spinach help keep your heart healthy.

Love spinach? Try the palak kofta curry made with oven-baked spinach koftas.

Benefits of Almonds

(Source)

• Nutrient-rich: Almonds are high in healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, protein and various important nutrients.
• Promote heart health: Eating almonds helps to lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), and increase levels of the good kind (HDL).
• Maintain a healthy weight: The protein and fiber in the nuts make you feel full faster, so you can better control your calorie intake.
• Lower blood pressure:  They help lower your systolic blood pressure, which offers protection against heart disease.
• Stronger bones: Almonds have calcium and phosphorus, which improve bone health and can protect you from fractures.
• Better sugar control: They help curb blood sugar spikes after meals, which is key for people with diabetes.
• Better gut health: Almonds can protect the health and immunity of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

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