Lemony Green Pesto Sauce- you can make this yummy sauce in just 5 minutes using your food processor or blender. It goes great with pasta, as a dip, pizza sauce or dressing. It’s also oil-free!
I LOVE easy homemade sauces.
Actually I love homemade food of any kind really. It’s so nice knowing exactly what’s going into my food and my body- and with no hidden ingredients, extra oils, or things I can’t pronounce. Just fresh whole foods that are good for you and you feel good about eating. Honestly, what could be better? =)
And this sauce is that easy. You can whip it up in 5 minutes using your blender or food processor and add it to pasta- or use as a dip, pizza sauce, or as a salad dressing.
And my favorite part is- it’s oil-free and you won’t even miss it. I might end up eating this Lemony Green Pesto Sauce on just about everything.
It’s also super easy to sub out ingredients if you don’t have them. You can substitute spinach or kale for the arugula, or use basil instead of parsley.
To make, in a food processor or high powered blender, add the raw cashews and pine nuts. Process until as fine as possible. You may need to stop it once or twice to scrape down the sides and blend again.
Then, add the arugula, parsley, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic, salt and pepper and 1/4 cup water.
Then, blend until smooth. Note: some blenders may require a little more water to blend. Stir and add additional water if necessary until you get the consistency you want. But be sure to add water in very small increments as you may need less than you think.
That’s it! Mix this pesto sauce with pasta, use as a dip, pizza sauce, or add a little more water to make it a salad dressing. I’ve also used it on my Bagel Thin Pesto Sandwiches– yum!
This recipe makes 1 cup pesto sauce. Each serving is about 1/4 cup sauce. Enjoy!
If you make this Lemony Green Pesto Sauce, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your photo with #veggie__chick on Instagram.
Lemony Green Pesto Sauce (Oil-Free)
Pin RateIngredients
- 1/4 cup raw cashews
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 2 cups fresh arugula
- 1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley - or basil
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- juice from 1 lemon - about 3 tablespoons
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 garlic cloves - minced (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup water - or more to thin
Instructions
- In a food processor or high powered blender, add raw cashews and pine nuts. Process until as fine as possible. Add arugula, parsley, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic, salt and pepper and 1/4 cup water and blend until smooth. Some blenders may require a little more water to blend. Stir and add additional water (at 1 tablespoon increments) if necessary.
- Mix in with pasta, or use as a dip, pizza sauce or add a little more water to make it a dressing. This recipe makes 1 cup pesto sauce. The serving size is about 1/4 cup.
Hanna Yoused says
Hi Christin,
The recipe looks absolutely yummy and I would love to try it. Was however wondering what the nutritional yeast is for? Is it the same as the yeast one uses for baking? Am new in the vegetarian world so still learning the basics 🙂
Christin McKamey says
Hi Hanna! Thanks for writing. No, nutritional yeast is not the same as used for baking. It is a different type of yeast that contains lots of great B vitamins. It also has a distinct cheesy flavor and is used in MANY vegan dishes. I always have some on hand, and I highly recommend you try it! It really adds a nice flavor to many things. I hope you enjoy it! =)
Hanna Yousef says
Hi Christin! Thank you for your reply and thanks for explaining. Sounds exciting! Will definitely try it out, and the pistachio pesto sounds like the best dish to start with. Can’t wait 🙂
Stacy Forget says
So yummy…even without added oil or cheese!
Christin McKamey says
Thanks Stacy!! =)