Creamy Low Fat Pesto
Elevate your pasta, sandwiches, or roasted veggies with this Creamy Low Fat Pesto, a guilt-free twist on the classic Italian favorite! Packed with the vibrant flavors of fresh basil, garlic, and a hint of zesty lemon, this recipe swaps traditional heavy ingredients for plain non-fat Greek yogurt, creating a luscious, creamy texture without the extra calories. Grated Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts (or walnuts) provide a rich, nutty depth, while a touch of extra-virgin olive oil ensures a smooth and velvety finish. Ready in just 10 minutes, this quick and wholesome pesto is as versatile as it is delicious. Perfect for health-conscious foodies looking for a low-fat sauce that doesn’t skimp on flavor, it’s an easy make-ahead option that can be refrigerated for up to a week.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cups Plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- 0.25 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons Pine nuts or walnuts, toasted
- 2 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 0.25 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons Water (optional, for thinning)
Instructions
Add the basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and toasted pine nuts (or walnuts) to a food processor or high-powered blender.
Pulse several times until the ingredients are roughly chopped.
Add the plain non-fat Greek yogurt, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the food processor.
Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure everything is evenly combined.
If the pesto is too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time and blend until the desired consistency is reached.
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary by adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your preferences.
Transfer the creamy low-fat pesto to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week, or serve immediately over your favorite dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
539 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.9 g | 58% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.6 g | 43% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 24 mg | 8% | |
| Sodium | 980 mg | 43% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 11.7 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.8 g | ||
| Protein | 25.7 g | 51% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 446 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 2.5 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 468 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
