Skip the pricey pine nuts and dairy, this bold, 5-minute Pesto Without Pine Nuts or Cheese is just as fresh and flavorful as the classic version. It’s allergy-friendly, budget-friendly, and a total lifesaver for moms who want to sneak extra greens into pasta, sandwiches, and meal prep without hearing complaints.
"This looks delish! I've never made pesto before, but this seems to be something I should save for later to put on some pasta, yum!" - Emily
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 5 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 8
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 131kcal and 2 grams of protein
- 📋 Main Ingredients: basil, spinach, garlic, walnuts, nutritional yeast, oil, sea salt
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Packed with bold, savory flavor and perfect for busy weeknights.
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I first whipped up this spinach pesto without pine nuts on a whim when I ran out of the “right” ingredients, and honestly, I never looked back. The combo of fresh basil and spinach, plus the nutty flavor from seeds, makes this pesto rich, vibrant, and totally delicious.
Unlike traditional versions, this basil pesto without pine nuts is completely dairy-free and vegan, perfect for anyone dealing with allergies (learn more about dairy-free for beginners) or just wanting to lighten things up. I make a double batch every summer to freeze alongside our garden-fresh basil, and it’s a go-to for 15-minute chicken pesto pasta, and grilled veggie and hummus wraps.
Jump To
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- 💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- Flavor Variations
- How To Make Pesto Without Pine Nuts and Cheese
- Expert Tips To Make It
- How To Serve It
- How To Store It
- Spinach Pesto Recipe Pine Nuts FAQs
- More Dairy and Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes
- Basil Pesto Without Pine Nuts or Cheese
💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy: Made with only a handful of ingredients, this pesto without pine nuts is ready to go in just 5 minutes.
Versatile: You can easily use this pesto to make a quick chicken pesto pasta or as the base of a pizza.
Flavorful: Cutting the basil with spinach makes this dairy-free pesto a bit milder but with a wicked savory flavor thanks to the nutritional yeast.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Greens: You need both fresh pesto and baby spinach leaves for the recipe.
- Nutritional yeast: This is what eliminates the dairy in the recipe and replaces Parmesan. It has a slightly cheesy flavor and is PACKED with nutrients like B12.
- Nuts: I use walnuts for the recipe, but in a pinch, I have used cashews too, which give a creamier texture.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Nut-free: If you want to make the pesto sauce nut-free, use sunflower or pumpkin seeds in place of walnuts.
Herbs: In place of spinach, try using different herbs and greens like parsley or kale. This will change the taste and is a great way to get new nutrients in.
Spicy: Add chopped jalapenos or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a kick of heat.
How To Make Pesto Without Pine Nuts and Cheese
Step 1: Gather all the ingredients in a food processor.
Step 2: Process until desired texture is reached.
Step 3: Portion into a mason jar to store or use immediately.
Expert Tips To Make It
The kind of basil you choose will affect the flavor. Sweet basil was used for this recipe; however, Thai basil gives it a wonderful flavor for pasta. Learn more about holy basil vs. Thai basil
You can also use kale in place of spinach for this recipe (like in this green chickpea hummus). Or even throw in some parsley for a fun new taste. This is a great way to hide veggies.
Blend the pesto sauce for as long as you need to achieve your desired texture.
The oil you choose will also alter the taste and texture. Flax oil can have a very unique taste, so if you don't love it, don't use it. Avocado oil and olive oil work really well.
How To Serve It
Pesto without pine nuts isn't just for pasta (though this chicken pesto pasta IS a tasty one that comes together in about 15 minutes!). It is also be used for:
- The base of pizzas (you can sub the marinara on this air fryer tortilla pizza and get a whole new flavor!)
- a sauce for a grilled wrap
- Buddha bowls
How To Store It
Once made, store your homemade pesto in a jar with the lid tight and in the fridge. It will stay fresh for 7-10 days.
You can also freeze pesto sauce in a plastic bag for up to 2 months. When you're ready for it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge or place the bag in a cup of warm water.
Spinach Pesto Recipe Pine Nuts FAQs
Homemade pesto is easily a better option than store-bought. Not only do you have the option to use healthier ingredients (specifically healthier oils), but for anyone with allergies, it's the only way to go. Plus, you can alter the flavor of the pesto by experimenting with different types of fresh basil.
Your pesto can be as herb-based as you wish! However, too many herbs or too much of one or another can leave your pesto tasting a bit too "grassy". Follow a base pesto recipe and add herbs lightly and one at a time, tasting in between.
Sure! In place of nuts, use sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a different taste and a totally nut-free pesto sauce.
If you find your pesto sauce is chunky after blending and you want a smoother texture, try adding a splash of water or even almond milk to the mixture and processing it until it reaches your desired consistency.
More Dairy and Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes
If you tried this Pesto Recipe Without Pine Nuts or Cheese or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Basil Pesto Without Pine Nuts or Cheese
Video
Equipment
- Food processor
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh basil packed
- ½ cup spinach packed
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ cup walnuts
- 1 tbs nutritional yeast
- 5 tbs oil of choice
- ¼ teaspoon seat salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Wendy says
This is delicious!
fitasamamabear says
It's so simple too!
Allyssa says
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
fitasamamabear says
Glad you loved them!
Shannon Burlingame says
Most pesto recipes always use pine nuts which I can NEVER find where I am. Glad to know I can use walnuts instead. Definitely going to try this one!
fitasamamabear says
That was my issue too! That and I won't snack on leftover pine nuts, they taste funny lol walnuts work really well- enjoy!
Tara says
this looks amazingly delicious! cannot wait to try!
Emily says
This looks delish! I've never made pesto before, but this seems to be something I should save for later to put on some pasta, yum!
fitasamamabear says
Thanks Emily! It's really simple to make and much more potent than store bought- perfect for pasta!
Latasha says
Yummy! I absolutely love everything with pesto . Totally want to try this very soon
fitasamamabear says
I'm a sucker for pesto too- works on everything!
Luci says
This looks really good. I am going to have to try and make this tossing it in some pasta and maybe some chicken.
fitasamamabear says
Making pesto chicken pasta us one of my FAVORITE ways to use this pesto!
R.M. says
I love Pesto!!! I can't wait to make this!
fitasamamabear says
Thanks- I love it too! It works on literally everything
Emma says
Yummm this look delicious! I would love to put this on my zoodles!!
Emma |
fitasamamabear says
Mmm that would be tasty! Also yummy on spiralized carrot!
Amanda says
This looks so yummy and healthy! I don't know how my toddler would like this, but my husband and I love fresh ingredients for our pasta!
fitasamamabear says
Perfect! My toddler loves pesto so I think I luck out- it's an easy way to get more veggies into her 😉
arita muhaxheri says
So easy to make and sooo tasty <3 I love a good basil pesto xx
Ingrid says
Can't wait to try this! It looks incredibly yummy and healthy!
fitasamamabear says
Thanks! I LOVE it on chickpea pasta- so simple but so healthy!
lea says
Just yummy. WE always make our own Pesto as we have a basil bush in our garden. We use pretty much the same ingredients but instead of blending it up, someone always has to chop the basil into tiny pieces. We just like when not everything is blended too much together. But yours looks really nice too. I might use the blender next time as it will be so much quicker.
Lea, xx
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fitasamamabear says
Yes we have a basil plant too! It's wonderful because the fresh stuff just tastes so much better. Hrm, I actually never thought to chop it- that's a wonderful idea! It would be great with some diced tomatoes in a pasta too... back to my kitchen!lol
David says
Wow this looks great and I have a basil plant the is flourishing. I can't wait to try this basil pesto out! I have had pesto in a few salads and it is very good. It looks a little weird but it has a great flavor.
Cheers
fitasamamabear says
It definitely looks a bit weird when you're not used to it haha I personally love this pesto over chickpea pasta or marinated onto chicken- so yummy!