If you want a recipe that’s simple to make, versatile enough to be a topping for pasta, chicken fish, even rice and a great way to get your kids in the kitchen (without a big mess), you have to try this Pistachio Pesto!
If you read Weelicious often, you know that I’m crazy for pesto. While it might sound a bit fancy or gourmet, I think it’s one of the most kid-friendly foods out there. We use pesto on everything from pasta to chicken to fish or even as a spread on sandwiches. The kids and my husband love it and it’s a total lifesaver for me, especially because I can make a batch and keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Packed with protein and vitamins A, C, E, K (and more) from the spinach and pistachios, this is a recipe where you know your family will be getting their recommended daily allowance of a lot of good stuff and enjoying every last bite!
Pistachio Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Spinach, packed
- 1/4 Cup Pistachio, shelled, unsalted & toasted
- 1/4 Cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 Tsp kosher salt
- 1 Garlic Clove
- 1/3 Cup olive oil
- 1 lb Pasta, cooked
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients (except for the pasta) in a food processor and puree until smooth.
- Mix with pasta and serve.
- * Pesto can be placed in containers (or even ice cube trays) and frozen for up to 3 months.
would i be able to add sundried tomato in it? do u use the whole cup for the pasta for half cup? sorry never used pesto before.
I made this for my 2 year old tonight and he loved it. I can always count on your recipes. My little guy eats them up! Thanks!
This is perhaps our favorite pesto recipe now and we are pesto lovers. I have made so many variations from traditional basil to arugula and walnut to now this one. I have made it two weeks in a row. Its excellent with pasta, veggies and shrimp one night and the next night we have grilled mahi mahi or halibut with the pesto smeared on the fish for grilling. Seriously so yummy!! PS. can’t wait for your cookbook to come out. I look to your site for ideas for my kiddos ( age 2 1/2 and 8 months)and I think my husband and I end up loving the recipes more than my kiddos do!! Thanks for such an awesome website!
Forgot to say with no salt added or on the pistachios.
I made this last night, was sooo yummy! We can’t do dairy in our house so replaced the Parmesan with sheep’s feta… Made it lovely and creamy!
instead of parm you can use nutritional yeast which tastes just like cheese! 🙂
do you have to use parm or is there an alternative? my lil’ guy is gluten and dairy free and we are just learning the ropes to it all. thanks!
My 7, 5, and 2 year olds, as well as my husband and I LOVED it. Nuff said.
These look delightful. The pithscaios are perfect. I think I might just make them with normal flour, as nutella really zeros out the need for wholemeal anyway…. Do you think they’d still be the same?
We tried this out and while my 3 year old took two bites and said no way, I thought it was very tasty.
I cannot wait to try this tonight. My daughter lives on pasta so anything that gets her a little more nutrients without a big fight at dinner is a really good thing in this house!
I really want to try this. It sounds very good and I am looking for new recipes for my kids. I was just wondering if I have to use fresh Parmesan or can I use the Kraft Parmesan? Thanks!
so bummed…i just did the same thing. not edible like this, but i can’t wait to try it again the right way!
Just made a batch for dinner tonight. Tasty, but salty. Made the mistake of using salted pistacios. If you only have salted pistacios, I reccommend cutting the amount of salt.
can i use almonds in this recipe? i dont hav pistachio
WOW, this was outstanding and could NOT have been any easier. I went to 4 stores looking for unsalted pistachios and could not find them. I used salted and then cut the salt in half. I also suggest that you make sure to use a pasta that has nooks to catch the small chunks of pesto! My husband loved it and asked where I found the EASY recipe. I told him all the other things we have made from this site and we realized we have loved them ALL. Thank you!