Healthy Homemade Pesto (with half the calories & all the flavour!)
Indulge guilt-free in this Healthy Homemade Pesto, boasting the same rich flavour you love with only half the calories. With just 37 calories per tbsp, savour every bite knowing you’re making a wholesome choice without compromising on taste!
Traditional Pesto is High in Calories
Pesto is one of my favourite sauces and the perfect way to enjoy fresh basil from the summer garden. It’s incredibly versatile – I love having it with pasta (duh!), but even on toast, in sandwiches, with rice and chicken, grilled salmon… the list goes on.
Yet traditional pesto recipes are full of oil and end up being extremely high in calories. And while thats fine for a treat every now and then, I wanted to create a sauce that I could enjoy more often. This lightened up Healthy Homemade Pesto has half the calories and all the flavour! With only 37 calories per tbsp, you can savour every bite completely guilt-free.
Low Calorie Pesto Ingredients
This healthy low calorie pesto sauce blends together all the traditional pesto ingredients necessary to create the iconic and flavourful sauce. I played around with the amounts and added in a few extra ingredients to reduce the calorie count without compromising on taste.
- Fresh Basil Leaves
- Garlic
- Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Sunflower Seeds
- Sour Cream
- Lemon Juice
By substituting pine nuts with sunflower seeds and swapping some of the high-calorie olive oil with creamy sour cream, this sauce only has 37 calories per tbsp instead of the typical 80. So go ahead and indulge smarter with every spoonful!
How To Store Healthy Homemade Pesto
To ensure your pesto stays fresh and flavourful, follow these storage guidelines:
- Refrigeration: Store homemade pesto in an airtight container. Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on the surface of the pesto before sealing the container. This helps create a barrier against air and prevents the pesto from oxidizing and turning brown.
- Freezing: Pesto freezes exceptionally well. Portion out the pesto into ice cube trays or small airtight containers. Cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil before sealing. Once frozen, transfer the cubes or containers to a larger freezer bag for better organization.
- Thawing: When ready to use frozen pesto, remove the desired amount from the freezer and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator. Stir it well before use to recombine any separated ingredients.
- Use Within a Reasonable Time: While frozen pesto can last for several months, it’s best to use it within 3-4 months for optimal flavour. Refrigerated pesto should be consumed within a week.
Keto & Low Calorie Spaghetti Options
While spaghetti is a classic choice, this healthy pesto pairs beautifully with a range of pasta alternatives that are both delicious and diet-friendly. Consider options like zucchini noodles (zoodles), spaghetti squash strands, or konjac pasta for a wholesome low-calorie twist.
Add some protein by seasoning chicken breast with Italian spices and just like that – you’ve created a mouthwatering, low-carb, and keto-friendly dinner. Prepare to savour every guilt-free bite!
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Healthy Low Calorie Pesto Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup Fresh Basil Leaves
- 1/4 cup Sunflower Seeds raw
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano grated
- 1/2 tbsp Garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Sour Cream
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. Add 1-2 tbsps of water if needed until sauce reaches desired consistency.
Notes
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