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pesto without pine nuts in a glass jar
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5 from 10 votes

Pesto Without Pine Nuts

This healthy pesto without pine nuts is the perfect pasta sauce for a quick and easy weeknight meal. This walnut and sage pesto is packed full of earthy flavors and is lower in fat and calories than its store bought counterparts!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 4
Calories: 52kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Equipment

Ingredients

To Make The Pesto

To Toss With Pasta

Instructions

To Make The Pesto

  • Combine ¼ teaspoon salt, parsley, and next 5 ingredients (through 1 clove garlic) in a food processor; process until finely chopped, scraping sides.
  • With processor on, slowly pour broth through food chute, processing until well blended.

If Tossing With Pasta

  • Cook penne according to package directions, cool and set aside.
  • Spray a pan with cooking spray, heat over medium heat. Add zucchini and 2 cloves minced garlic and stir fry lightly (for about 5 min max). Add spinach, garlic salt and oregano and cook through until spinach is wilted. Set aside.
  • Combine penne and pesto in a pot on low heat until combined and heated through. Add pepper and mix well. Add in vegetables and serve warm, top with 1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese per serving.

Video

Notes

Tips For Making Pesto Sauce
  • When choosing your fresh herbs, look for plants that have bright green leaves that aren't bruised or drooping. They will be the freshest and have the best flavor.
  • Try toasting your nuts before adding them to the sauce!
  • Don't forget to season generously with salt and pepper.
  • Note: Nutrition information is for the pesto only (does not include pasta)
Tips For Making Pesto Pasta
  • Cook the pasta al-dente (with bite).
  • Use whole wheat pasta for added fiber.
  • Use chickpea pasta for added protein and to make it a gluten free dish.
  • Add in any veggies you like! I used zucchini and baby spinach, but asparagus, other squashes, or even broccoli would work well in this dish.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25of the pesto | Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 228mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g