Spinach Pesto

Pesto is a great alternative to regular red sauce or heavy alfredo! It’s also green, which means it’s loaded with vitamins, and healthy ingredients!

Most pestos are made with basil, well I didn’t have basil on hand, but I had a huge thing of fresh spinach! And spinach is one of the best leafy greens out there for you! The list of nutrition in spinach is very long, so I won’t bore you with details. Β The main nutritional values I want to point out are iron, vitamin A and C, calcium, and folate. All wonderful things you need in your diet! πŸ™‚

Instead of noodles, I use spaghetti squash. I have been eating this for years before it was “IN” to eat it as a replacement for pasta. Very easy to make. Some people put it in the oven, but I find it easier to microwave it. The consistency doesn’t change at all and it’s quicker this way!

After eating this for lunch I really wanted more, so it will be on my dinner menu for a few days. Healthy and a little bit a salt (hits the spot).

For this recipe you will need:

-4 1/2 cups of fresh spinach
-2 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
-1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt
-1/2 of a lemon for fresh squeezed lemon juice
-1/4 cup of pine nuts
-1 teaspoon of minced garlic
-1/2 teaspoon of salt
-pepper to taste

and a spaghetti squash!

Add all the ingredients to a food processor (minus the greek yogurt)

Squeeze in that lemon!
Squeeze in that lemon!

Pulse (you might have to add 2 cups of spinach, pulse, then another 2 and a half to fit it all)

Chopped up some
Chopped up some

Now add the greek yogurt. This will make it creamy and smooth

Plain only!
Plain only!

Turn on the food processor again and mix until smooth

It's not easy being green
It’s not easy being green

Now store it in tupperware for future meals πŸ™‚

YUM!
YUM!

I put it on top of spaghetti squash, but you can use it on top of chicken, fish, even on a salad as a dressing!

Spaghetti Squash with Spinach Pesto
Spaghetti Squash with Spinach Pesto

For 1 serving of this pesto, a little over 1/4 cup: 88 calories, 7 grams of fat, 3 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbs.Β 

If you want to do the spaghetti squash like me, follow these steps:

This is what you are looking for in the grocery store

Medium size
Medium size

Place in the microwave for 4 minutes to soften a little

When it comes out, you are going to take a fork and poke holes in the squash

Poking holes
Poking holes

Now place back in the microwave for another 5-8 minutes (keep checking on it, if it’s not soft enough keep going, but keep an eye on it so it doesn’t explode— I obviously have done this before)

When it comes out it will be soft enough to cut in half. The inside has seeds and darker colored “guts”, scoop these out.

The guts
The guts– “Do Do Do you have it?”– points to the 90s kids that get that!

And now scrape with a fork to get spaghetti like strands

Scrapes right off!
Scrapes right off!

Be careful scraping even if you think it’s not hot! Heat get’s trapped underneath and once you start scraping it escapes

Store in tupperware!

This makes a lot! I will often eat it plain and live off of it for a week!
This makes a lot! I will often eat it plain and live off of it for a week!

Happy eating…

XOXO With a Cherry On Top,

-Minnie

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7 Comments

  1. Monica saez

    Love this! I am into bodybuidling and healthy eats are key…OMG this is great! I get bored with the usual stuff, loving on this right now!

    I got two really great ideas from your site…this and the tofu noodles! I am cooking them with chicken brooth-Yum! Still gotta expore more.

    Anyhow i stumbled across your site- keep up the great work with your lifestyle! I too was a little chunky, lost about 65 pounds and went on to compete in figure. Your story is an inspiration to others!!!

    1. Katie

      Monica,

      Thanks for finding me! Congrats on your weight loss too that’s incredible πŸ™‚
      Glad you like my stuff! I have lots of information to share with others!

  2. Paulina

    I love your website! Such great tips! I actually saw a comment on Instagram recommending this recipe! I usually do spegetti swish with a red sauce and ground turkey but I’m trying this tonight! Thanks for the great tips & keep it up girl. You are a great inspiration!

    1. Katie

      Thanks so much Paulina! I’m an instagram addict!

  3. Sarah

    I just had this with whole wheat penne and it was delicious! So low in calories that I even got away with putting a tablespooin of Parmesean Cheese on top. Very easy to make and your pictures are very helpful. Have you ever made it with basil?

    1. Katie

      I haven’t because I can never find a huge thing of basil. I really want my own plant because it’s by far my favorite herb! I’m going to try it soon πŸ™‚

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