This versatile Nut Free Pesto Sauce is perfect for anyone craving a good pesto but is especially perfect for those who can't tolerate nuts in their diet.
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Let me start off by saying I love me a good traditional pesto sauce. Pesto is so versatile. You can use it on chicken, pork, pasta, baked potatoes and so much more. One of my favorite pork dishes is a Pesto Mozzarella Stuffed Pork.
Lately I haven't been using pesto in my recipes like I used it.
Why?
My youngest daughter has a peanut / tree nut allergy. Such a bummer. She's such a trooper. Man, I'll tell you, that little kid is way braver and tougher than I am. Don't tell her though because she's already got an ego the size of a house, but she is pretty awesome.
The least I can do for this tiny human that I created and love is to skip the nuts when it comes to meal time.
Are pine nuts necessary in pesto
No! Sure, traditionally you'll find pine nuts in a pesto or more recently other nuts too, such as walnuts but they are not necessary.
Originally I thought I would use sunflower seeds as a replacement for the pine nuts in my pesto but ultimately, after testing and re-testing, I didn't need a replacement at all.
Tips
If you aren't a garlic lover like I am, feel free to reduce the garlic by a clove.
Is it difficult to make homemade pesto
No. This Nut Free Pesto Sauce is super easy to make. All you have to do is whiz around a few ingredients in your food processor and drizzle in some oil.
The Cheese
Your pesto sauce can only be as good as your cheese. If you use a crappy cheese, you're going to have a crappy pesto.
Please get a high quality cheese. And please, grate your own cheese. No, I'm not being a cheese snob. I use the bagged stuff on occasion. This is not the occasion. Trust me. Don't go cheap on the olive oil either. It makes a difference.
Printable Recipe Card
Nut Free Pesto Sauce
Ingredients
- 6 oz spinach leaves tough stems removed
- 3 oz basil leaves
- 3 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice from half lemon
- ⅓ C shredded parmigiano reggiano cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt coarse sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅓ C extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Place spinach leaves in food processor. Pulse a few times (just to make room for the basil). Add basil, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, cheese, salt and pepper. Process until smooth.
- Add in oil by drizzling the oil in WHILE the processor is running.
- Taste.
- Adjust seasonings if desired.
- Store in a sealed container in refrigerator.
- Use within about 10 days for freshness.
Some recipes that use pesto sauce:
Pesto Mozzarella Stuffed Pork Chops
Pesto Mozzarella Chicken Burger
Chicken Pesto Meatballs and Orzo
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Kate says
Look at that lovely green colour! This is a great versatile nut free pesto.
Sherri says
Wow! This looks like a stunning pesto sauce! What a beautiful color! And that pesto mozzarella stuffed pork sounds amazing too; definitely going to check it out next!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks! I actually made that pork again last night for dinner since I had a fresh batch of the pesto!
Stephanie says
This pesto sounds perfect! I'm all about the garlic so you can never have too much. This looks simple and delicious so can't wait to try it.
Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life says
Mmmm I do LOVE a good pesto sauce! You're right: pine nuts ARE crazy expensive these days! What a great nut-free option.
Marie – Not Enough Cinnamon says
I'm sure we don't miss the pine nuts in this pesto one bit - it looks amazing and I'm a big pesto fan!
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I feel like the pestos I see always have pine nuts. It's great to see this, for those of us who don't particularly enjoy the nuts.
Neely Moldovan says
I am not a huge pesto person but my husband LOVES it! I bet he would like this one
Joline says
We always make pesto with pine nuts which are ridiculously expensive. It's nice to have a nut-free version. Can't wait to try this!
Brandy says
I've never had pesto sauce before, but this nut free pesto sauce recipe sounds delicious. I will have to try to make it so I can finally try pesto sauce for the first time.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
I try to make my own pesto sauce but it pales compared to the one my sister makes. I will try your recipe. I love the color! Fridays are pizza/pasta day in our home, so I will do my best to make this delicious pesto sauce.
Scott says
I guess I didn't realize that pesto was so easy to make. We have fresh basil growing and garlic in the garden. Guess I'll have to try it!
Peter says
Beautiful looking pesto! I’ve never been a fan of pine nuts and the price is always ridiculous for them. I will be making this!
Alicia says
I have never heard of Pesto but it looks pretty tasty. I will have to try it sometime w/ meat.
Tami says
We are heavy garlic users, too. Hubby will enjoy it as is on so many entrees.