Spinach Artichoke Pesto – a heavenly combo of spinach, artichokes, garlic, lemon, and pumpkin seeds. This dairy free, nut free, beautifully green pesto is a condiment you will reach for again and again.
The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here this last week. Temperatures were well above normal, the sun has been shining, and I’ve got spring fever in a bad way. It’s making me crave all things bright and fresh and green! This Green Vegetable Juice has been in heavy rotation (even the kids like it!) as have salads of every kind. I made veggie burgers the other night and this Spinach Artichoke Pesto was the perfect accompaniment (burger coming soon – stay tuned – its soooo good!). It’s super easy – takes just about 5 minutes – so let’s get that flavor going!
Nut Free
Traditional pestos usually contain pine nuts. I have a weird aversion to pine nuts. I will literally have a constant pine taste in my mouth for weeks after eating them. I’ve discovered that raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) are my favorite substitution. They also have a subtly “cheesy” flavor, so they make a great sub for the parmesan cheese that is usually found in pestos as well. The use of pumpkin seeds here makes my pesto allergy friendly – dairy free and nut free!
A Versatile Sauce
This fresh, citrusy, artichoke pesto will liven up a variety of dishes. Mixed with pasta, tossed in a salad, in place of marinara on a pizza, a dip for veggies, spread on crusty bread as an appetizer, or atop a veggie burger. The possibilities are limitless. If you love artichokes, put this dairy free pesto on your must-make list!
I’ve got a few new recipes coming your way using this delicious condiment so be sure you’re signed up to receive the latest updates via e-mail (sign up box at the bottom of this post or in the side bar).
Spinach Artichoke Pesto
I hope you guys love this Spinach Artichoke Pesto as much as we do! If you try it, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it. Thanks!
- 1 14 oz can quartered or halved artichoke hearts (drained)
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- Pulse all ingredients in a food processor until a sauce is formed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Taste and adjust for seasoning if necessary.
More Flavorful Dairy Free Sauces to Love:
I have to say, I LOVE this recipe! I made it yesterday and plan to make it regularly from now on. It was easy to make and tasted great on my toast this morning. I didn’t have the seeds on hand yesterday, so I used some raw walnuts and that worked well too. Next time I may try pepitos and see how that works. I also love that this recipe doesn’t call for much oil. It’s a healthy recipe and so yummy! Thank you for sharing. I signed up for your news and look forward to more healthy yummies recipes.
Thank you, Karlyn! That is so great to hear! I’m planning to make another batch today in fact. We’ve been eating it with whole wheat crackers as a snack and it gets devoured so quickly! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment and sign up for the newsletter. I hope you find lots more recipes to love! 🙂
I love this! First I’m going to try it as a base on a tortilla! 🙂
That sounds like a fabulous idea! Let me know how you like it, Ginny!
This looks so delicious, Jenn! What a great combo. I absolutely LOVE artichokes, but I haven’t used it for pesto yet. Can’t wait to try your recipe! 🙂
Thank you so much, Sina! It’s crazy flavorful!
What a creative take on the usual pesto and I love this color! It looks so creamy and addicting…I’m pretty sure I’d find excuses to put it on just about everything. I can’t wait to see the veggie burger recipe that you paired this with! Adding this to my list!
Thanks, Mandy! I definitely have been putting it on everything! It’s so flavorful!
It has been gorgeous weather here too! I love all the flavors in this pesto!! I imagine it would be so tastyyy with pasta and asparagus! YUM!
Yes! I like the way you think! So yum!
Now this is a delicious way to enjoy artichokes! It’s a must try, and neat that your recipe is nut-free, too.
Thanks, Alisa! It’s one I will be making quite a lot!
Lovin’ this pesto you made! It looks so bright and tasty. Such a great idea to use pumpkin seeds instead. I’ve gotta try it!
Yes, Melissa, pumpkin seeds are sooo good in pesto! Let me know if you try it.
I’m so missing that lovely weather. Today is so gray and cold. Your pesto would certainly brighten things up. It sounds delicious. I can’t wait to see your burger recipe.
I know – we were so spoiled with that lovely weather. We had a crazy hail storm (along with all the thunderstorms) last night that woke everyone up. And today it’s been raining all day today too – gray, cold and yucky. 🙁
I make a lemon artichoke pesto too! The flavors are so perfect together!
Oh really? Is it on your blog? I’l have to check it out!
Pesto is always a win. Artichokes and pumpkin seeds? What a cool idea – I bet this tastes wonderful.
Thanks, Greg! It’s a great combo! Have a great weekend!
Looks delicious, Jenn! I’ve never met a pesto sauce I didn’t like, especially when it’s a beautiful green like this one!
I’m with you – pestos are the best! So flavorful and they go with everything!
I saw this on your Pinterest and was so excited! Nut free & dairy-free, this is something I MUST make. Thanks Jenn.
Thank you, Nicole! I hope you all love it!
can’t wait to try this, i always try and find pesto recipes that DON’T use basil since it’s expensive and I have a black thumb :-/
LOL! I have several different pesto recipes on my blog. I love basil, but there are so many other flavorful herbs and veggies that work just as well!
Having a nut free pesto is a great idea, and these ingredients make it sound really flavoursome. A great idea.
Thanks, Helen! It definitely packs a big flavor punch!
I especially love the pumpkin seeds addition. I love that this is nut free. Just sent it to my cousin, she would love this option.
Oh perfect, thank you! Pumpkin seeds are definitely my go-to for any pesto!
I have never thought to add artichoke to pesto. What a fantastic idea. Can’t wait to try this now.
It brings such big flavor with such little effort! Let me know if you give it a try!
Oh yes please!! This sounds awesome!
Enjoy, Laura!
This sounds amazing!! Love the pumpkin seeds here. I have a huge weakness for anything spinach amd artichoke so I know I am definitely going to enjoy this on everything.
It’s such a great combo, isn’t it?! Thanks, Rebecca!
Loving the flavors in this pesto! Just thinking of everything I could put this on! Can’t wait to try it!
Everything! Thanks, Taylor!
Yum! What a fun twist. I am already imagining all of the goodies I could use this with.
Thanks, Luci! I just finished up my second batch with some whole wheat crackers!
I adore artichokes! So nice to find a pesto recipe that doesn’t contain pine or cashew nuts!
Thanks, Nicole! I really LOVE pumpkin seeds in pesto. Let me know if you try it!
Oh, I love the swap for pumpkin seeds! I bet this would be perfect on just about anything, even just toast! Yum!
Now I’m craving toast and pesto!!! Great idea!
Pesto makes for such an easy dinner. We eat it so often. I need to try this version!
Yes, so easy! Thanks, Mel!
I always think about getting artichokes but don’t really know what to do with them. Now I do!! pinning this to remember
Yes, get some! So good!
I am a huge fan of spreads! This recipe looks delish.
Nothing better than a good sauce/spread to make a meal really shine! Thanks, Maria!
Love a good pesto! I use so many things other than pine nuts for my pestos, from pumpkin seeds to walnuts, the possibilities are endless and often ever better! Looks delicious!
Yes, me too! I have a Kale Walnut Pesto on the blog too. And I use a combo of almonds and pumpkin seeds in another one. So versatile! Thanks, Sophia!
Such a great idea with the artichoke hearts! I would have never thought about that, I’ll have to give this a try!
It’s so incredibly flavorful. I hope you love it, Sarah!
The perfect substitute for people with allergies who love pesto! LOVE it!
Thank you! I agree!
Oooo… I make spinach pesto often, but I’ve never thought to add artichokes to it. Genius!
It’s so tangy and delicious! Thanks, Dianne!
I’ve never tried to make my own pesto. But this looks amazingly fresh and delicious!
Oh, you really should – it’s so easy! And so versatile too! Enjoy!
What a great way to make this nut free! I love all pestos so I’m totally trying this, I think I have extra sunflower seeds at home. 🙂
Thanks, Mary Ellen! I’m sure sunflower seeds would work as well. I hope you love it!
Ooh I love this spin on traditional pesto. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Thanks, Becky! Enjoy!