Easy Pesto Cheese Spread
This simplest of pesto recipes becomes an easy and delicious cracker spread by adding softened cream cheese.
Yield
24 servingsPrep
10 minCook
0 minReady
10 minLow Cholesterol, Trans-fat Free, Low Carb, Sugar-Free, Low Sodium
Ingredients
| Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ½ | cups |
basil
fresh leaves, packed |
*
|
| ¼ | cup |
almonds
walnuts or pine nuts, chopped, toasted & cooled |
*
|
| 3 | large |
garlic cloves
coarsely choppped |
*
|
| 3 | tablespoons |
Parmesan cheese
|
|
| 1 | pinch |
nutmeg
ground (optional) |
*
|
| ½ | cup |
olive oil, extra-virgin
|
|
| 16 | ounces |
cream cheese (reduced-fat)
or regular, softened |
|
| 1 | x |
crackers
crostini or crudites, for serving |
*
|
Ingredients
| Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 355 | ml |
basil
fresh leaves, packed |
*
|
| 59 | ml |
almonds
walnuts or pine nuts, chopped, toasted & cooled |
*
|
| 3 | large |
garlic cloves
coarsely choppped |
*
|
| 45 | ml |
Parmesan cheese
|
|
| 1 | pinch |
nutmeg
ground (optional) |
*
|
| 118 | ml |
olive oil, extra-virgin
|
|
| 462.4 | ml/g |
cream cheese (reduced-fat)
or regular, softened |
|
| 1 | x |
crackers
crostini or crudites, for serving |
*
|
Directions
In the bowl of a food processor, combine first 5 ingredients by pulsing until coarsely chopped. Drizzle in the olive oil while processor is running and process until a thick paste is formed.
Remove to mixing bowl and combine thoroughly with the softened cream cheese. Place in serving container. Refrigerate until ready to use.
