Light basil and ricotta pesto

Enjoy a fresh and creamy twist on traditional pesto with our Light Basil and Ricotta Pesto. Made with pine nuts, zesty lemon juice, garlic, and smooth ricotta cheese, this easy-to-make sauce is perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. Ready in minutes for a delightful and versatile addition to your meals!

  • 12 Apr 2025
  • Cook time 0 min
  • Prep time 10 min
  • 6 Servings
  • 4 Ingredients

Light basil and ricotta pesto

Prepare to delight your taste buds with our Light Basil and Ricotta Pesto! This easy-to-make, creamy pesto is perfect for adding a fresh burst of flavor to your pasta, sandwiches, or salads. With the nuttiness of pine nuts, the zesty kick of lemon juice, and the creamy texture of ricotta cheese, this pesto is a lighter alternative to traditional basil pestos while still delivering on taste.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp pine nuts
16g
2 garlic cloves
6g
2 tbsp lemon juice
10g
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
120g

Instructions:

1. Toast the Pine Nuts:
- In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts, stirring frequently until they are golden brown and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful, as they can burn quickly. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Prepare the Garlic:
- Peel the garlic cloves and give them a rough chop. This helps them blend more easily in the food processor.
3. Combine Ingredients in a Food Processor:
- In a food processor, add the toasted pine nuts, chopped garlic, and fresh basil leaves. Pulse a few times until the ingredients are coarsely chopped.
4. Add Ricotta and Lemon Juice:
- Add the ricotta cheese and lemon juice to the food processor. Blend until everything is well combined and smooth.
5. Incorporate Parmesan Cheese and Olive Oil:
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese and pulse a few times. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well mixed.
6. Season to Taste:
- Taste the pesto and add salt and pepper as needed. Blend again to incorporate the seasoning.
7. Serve or Store:
- Your Light Basil and Ricotta Pesto is now ready to use! Serve it tossed with pasta, spread on toasted bread, or as a dip for fresh vegetables. If not using immediately, transfer the pesto to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep for about 3-5 days.

Tips:

- Toast the Pine Nuts: To enhance the flavor of your pesto, lightly toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until they are golden brown and fragrant. Let them cool slightly before using.

- Fresh Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves for a more robust flavor. If you prefer a milder garlic taste, you can lightly roast the garlic cloves before adding them to the pesto.

- Ricotta Substitute: If you don’t have ricotta cheese on hand, you can use cottage cheese or a combination of Greek yogurt and cream cheese as a substitute.

- Lemon Zest: For an extra citrusy kick, add a little bit of lemon zest along with the lemon juice. This will brighten up the flavors even more.

- Consistent Blending: Blend all ingredients thoroughly for a smooth pesto. Stop periodically to scrape down the sides of the blender or food processor to ensure even mixing.

Enjoy your light and delicious Basil and Ricotta Pesto! This versatile condiment can be used in a variety of dishes, making it a must-have in your kitchen repertoire. Whether you're tossing it with pasta, spreading it on a sandwich, or using it as a dip, this fresh and creamy pesto is sure to become a favorite.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size24 grams
Energy
Calories 45kcal2%
Protein
Protein 2.60g2%
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates 1.71g0%
Fiber 0.12g0%
Sugar 0.20g0%
Fat
Fat 3.23g4%
Saturated 1.07g4%
Cholesterol 6mg-
Vitamins
Vitamin A 20ug2%
Choline 4.84mg1%
Vitamin B1 0.02mg1%
Vitamin B2 0.04mg3%
Vitamin B3 0.13mg1%
Vitamin B6 0.02mg1%
Vitamin B9 3.70ug1%
Vitamin B12 0.06ug2%
Vitamin C 0.76mg1%
Vitamin E 0.25mg2%
Vitamin K 1.50ug1%
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 55mg4%
Copper, Cu 0.04mg5%
Iron, Fe 0.24mg2%
Magnesium, Mg 10mg2%
Phosphorus, P 50mg4%
Potassium, K 44mg1%
Selenium, Se 3.32ug6%
Sodium, Na 20mg1%
Zinc, Zn 0.43mg4%
Water
Water 16g-
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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