0 from 36 votes
Easy Zucchini Pesto
Zucchini Pesto is a healthy sauce made with less oil & nuts for a lightened-up summer recipe, with all the flavor you love. Serve it over pasta, pizza, or as a dip with veggies!
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 72 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced zucchini , no need to peel
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 3 garlic cloves
- ½ cup walnuts
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 to 4 tablespoons water , as needed to blend
Optional Add-Ins
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor or a high-speed blender, add the diced zucchini, basil, garlic, walnuts, lemon juice, salt, and 3 tablespoons of water. Blend until the pesto looks uniform, adding an extra tablespoon of water, if needed to help everything blend smoothly. Stop and scrape down the sides of the machine, if needed.
- For a more authentic pesto flavor, add in the optional Parmesan cheese and olive oil, then blend again. Taste the pesto, and season with extra salt (I add in an extra 1/4 teaspoon in this case) or a pinch of black pepper, if desired.
- Once the pesto is to your liking, serve it right away over your favorite pasta, pizza, sandwiches, and more. Leftover pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Nutrition information is for roughly 1/4 cup of pesto, made without the optional add-ins. This information is automatically calculated, and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.
- This recipe was updated in June 2023 with the optional Parmesan & olive oil additions, because it tastes delicious that way, too! I hope you'll enjoy either version you try.
Nutrition Information
Calories
72kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
3g
(1%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
6g
(9%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
Sodium
196mg
(8%)
Potassium
120mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
255IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
7mg
(8%)
Calcium
23mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 72
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 72kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 3g | 1% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 196mg | 8% |
| Potassium | 120mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 255IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 23mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.