Recipe: Spinach Walnut Pesto Sauce
Pesto has been a versatile culinary favorite for centuries. Originating in Italy, traditional pesto contains simple ingredients – garlic, fresh basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Our twist on pesto swaps in B-vitamin-rich nutritional yeast for cheese, making it suitable for those with dietary restrictions for dairy.
New to nutritional yeast? This all-star vegan ingredient has a nutty, cheesy flavor that marries perfectly with the basil and garlic! Walnuts are swapped for pine nuts and provide a hearty dose of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to support cognition and decrease inflammation in the body. To make this sauce more cost-effective, spinach is swapped for a good portion of the basil found in traditional recipes and provides a boost of vitamins K and C, as well as iron. Enjoy this sauce on pasta, roasted tofu, shrimp, chicken, or even as a tasty addition to your favorite sandwiches!
Dairy-Free Spinach Walnut Pesto Sauce
Serves 5-6
Ingredients:
- 3 C fresh spinach
- 1 C fresh basil
- 1/4 C chopped walnuts
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic, from a jar (if desired)
- 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/4 tsp each salt and black pepper
- 1/2 C olive oil + more for desired consistency
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes, optional for serving
Directions:
- Add spinach, basil, walnuts, garlic, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper to a food processor. Turn to low setting and slowly pour in olive oil.
- Blend until smooth consistency is achieved, adding additional olive oil if needed. The spinach and basil should be finely minced and incorporated into the mixture. Add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, if desired.
- Serve immediately, or store in a sealed glass container in the refrigerator and use within one week.
TIP: Looking for a creative way to use this sauce? Check out the Summerfield recipes linked below!
Want to save this for meals to come? Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze!
Swaps:
- For the nutritional yeast: freshly grated parmesan
- For the walnuts: pine nuts
- For the spinach: baby kale or more basil
Recipe modified from: https://lettucevegout.com/recipes/vegan-pesto/
[…] Serve with your favorite sauce or drizzle with this dairy- free pesto. […]