Description
Delicious pesto for a fraction of the calories? Yes, it's possible! While traditional pesto contains a significant amount of olive oil, this version skips it without sacrificing the classic flavors you love. Fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, parmean cheese, garlic, and lemon juice provide all the bright, nutty, cheesy flavor and creamy texture of traditional pesto with far fewer calories.
The olive oil in classic pesto mainly adds richness and mouthfeel. Since the pine nuts and parmesan already contribute fat and creaminess, the oil is simply not necessary to make a delicious pesto. Instead, lemon juice adds moisture, brightens the flavor, and helps keep the basil vibrant and green.
Use this pesto as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, dip, pizza sauce, or salad dressing. If you're looking for other variations, check out my other pesto recipes, including versions with different amounts of oil, different nuts, vegan options, and high-protein recipes.
The olive oil in classic pesto mainly adds richness and mouthfeel. Since the pine nuts and parmesan already contribute fat and creaminess, the oil is simply not necessary to make a delicious pesto. Instead, lemon juice adds moisture, brightens the flavor, and helps keep the basil vibrant and green.
Use this pesto as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, dip, pizza sauce, or salad dressing. If you're looking for other variations, check out my other pesto recipes, including versions with different amounts of oil, different nuts, vegan options, and high-protein recipes.
Time
Prep Time:
8 minutes
Total Time:
8 minutes
Cost
Total Cost:
Cost per Serving:
$0.56
Ingredients
Serving(s)
- 1/4 cup Pine nuts
- 2 cup Basil, fresh
- 3 tbsp Minced garlic
- 1/4 cup Grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper, ground
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 3 tbsp Lemon juice
Instructions
Cook Mode Off: Prevents screen dimming
- In a small pan over medium heat, toast your nuts until fragrant and lightly browned
- Add all ingredients (except lemon juice) to a food processor, and blend until chopped and combined. Slowly add the lemon, and blend until creamy
- Store in the fridge, or you can freeze any extra (pesto freezes well)
Notes
- If basil is too expensive, either fresh or frozen spinach will work as well!
- To make it nut free, replace the nuts (either pine nuts or walnuts) with seeds, like pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
- For a vegan version, use nutritional yeast in place of grated cheese
Nutrition Facts
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Total Fat: 4.3g (5%
5 % of Daily Value (78 g)
)
Saturated Fat: 0.9g (4%
4 % of Daily Value (20 g)
)
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.6g
Monounsaturated Fat: 1.1g
Cholesterol: 4mg (1%
1 % of Daily Value (300 mg)
)
Sodium: 244mg (11%
11 % of Daily Value (2300 mg)
)
Total Carbohydrate: 3.6g (1%
1 % of Daily Value (275 g)
)
Fiber: 0.5g (2%
2 % of Daily Value (28 g)
)
Net Carbs: 3.1g
Total Sugar: 0.4g
Protein: 2.4g (5%
5 % of Daily Value (50 g)
)
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Vitamin B12: 0.06mcg (2%
2 % of Daily Value (2.4 mcg)
)
Vitamin D: 0.0mcg (0%
0 % of Daily Value (20 mcg)
)
------------------------------------------
Calcium: 60mg (5%
5 % of Daily Value (1300 mg)
)
Iron: 0.57mg (3%
3 % of Daily Value (18 mg)
)
Magnesium: 18mg (4%
4 % of Daily Value (420 mg)
)
Potassium: 82mg (2%
2 % of Daily Value (4700 mg)
)
:
:
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:
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33.9
:
1.0
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:
8.8
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