One Step Nut-Free Pesto and 3 Ways to Eat it

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Most people probably don’t realize that pesto has pine nuts in it. As a nut allergy family, we are hyper aware of this fact! However, I love pesto so I was determined to find a recipe that allowed me to welcome pesto back into our homes with open arms and hungry bellies.

Nut Free Pesto REcipe

I stumbled upon this Skinnytaste recipe for Pesto Chicken Bowls that uses a homemade spinach arugula based pesto. As I scrolled, I also realized that this recipe was completely nut free. The recipe below is an adaptation of this recipe that yields more and also packs more of a hidden veggie punch than the original.

I’ll also take this moment to tell you about the best kitchen appliance that you didn’t know you needed - a food processor. Holy cow, this thing is versatile. I use it to make pie crust, smash up oreos to mix in cakes, make meatballs, cut butter into flour, and on and on. (Check out Pinch of Yum’s list of uses for a food processor)

Nut-Free Pesto

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves

  • 1/2 cup fresh Spinach

  • 1 cup Arugula

  • 1 clove garlic

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

  • Black Pepper, to taste

  • 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Instructions

  1. Put all the ingredients (except EVOO) in the food processor. Pulse together and slowly add the olive oil while pulsing. Add EVOO until you achieve a spreadable consistency.

Boom. It really doesn’t get easier than that, and those are the exactly the kinds of recipes that I need in my life.

Now, how do I turn this masterpiece into meals? Below are a few of my favorite pesto-centric recipes that kids are likely to try - a fancy grilled cheese, chicken, and some ‘za.

How do you like to use pesto? Leave me your recs in the comments!

 
 
One Step Nut Free Pesto Recipe