Creamy spinach pesto with tangy ricotta cheese is a shockingly simple and super satisfying way to upgrade your pasta. Creamy spinach pesto with walnuts takes just minutes to make in your blender or food process. Plus, it doubles as an amazing dipping sauce for roasted vegetables and charred meats.
Arrange the walnuts on a baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and roast for 12 minutes, shaking then rotating the pan once halfway through.
Combine the spinach, ricotta, parmesan cheese, toasted walnuts, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Pulse a few times until the ingredients are finely diced and incorporated.
With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil through the feed tube until the pesto comes together. Add less for a chunkier consistency, more for a smoother version.
Taste for seasoning and adjust the salt, pepper, and/or lemon juice until the flavor sings. Makes about 1 heaping cup.
Toss with cooked pasta and serve right away.
Notes
Note: Nutritional Information reflects pesto sauce only.