Pesto sauce, with its vibrant green color and aromatic basil flavor, is a delicious ingredient that can elevate any dish.
Whether you just have a few spoonfuls left in the jar or want to try something new and exciting, here are 44 easy recipes using pesto that will inspire your culinary creativity.
From classic pasta to gourmet sandwiches, salads, meats, and dips, these dishes show you how versatile pesto can be. So let’s dive in and explore some of the best ways to use this beloved Mediterranean sauce!
44 Easy Recipes Using Pesto
1. Pesto Pasta Salad
Cook fusilli pasta according to the package. Drain and cool it.
Add cherry tomatoes, olives, diced bell pepper, chopped basil, and a generous amount of pesto sauce. Mix well and serve chilled.
2. Pesto-Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Cut a pocket on the thickest part of each chicken breast. Season with salt and pepper. Stuff with a mixture of cream cheese, pesto sauce, and minced garlic.
Bake for 20-25 minutes at 375°F or until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Pesto Tuna Melt
Toast a slice of Italian bread. Spread pesto sauce on top. Add a layer of canned tuna and sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top. Broil until the cheese melts and bubbles.
4. Pesto Potato Salad
Boil red skin potatoes until tender. Drain and cube them. Add chopped celery, green onions, mayonnaise, mustard, and pesto sauce. Toss well and chill for at least 30 minutes.
5. Pesto Grilled Cheese
Butter two slices of bread. Spread pesto sauce on one of the slices. Add sliced mozzarella cheese, tomato, and fresh basil leaves. Grill until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.
6. Pesto Meatballs
Mix ground beef or turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, minced onion, salt, and pesto sauce.
Roll into balls. Brown them in a skillet with some oil. Add tomato sauce and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
7. Pesto Tortellini Soup
Sauté diced onions, carrot, and celery in a pot. Add chicken or vegetable broth and pesto sauce. Bring to a boil. Add cheese tortellini and cook until tender. Serve hot with croutons.
8. Pesto-Crusted Salmon
Mix pesto sauce with breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, and olive oil. Coat salmon fillets with the mixture. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 400°F or until the fish is flaky and golden.
9. Pesto Pizza
Spread pesto sauce on a pre-made pizza crust. Top with sliced tomatoes, caramelized onions, cooked chicken, and mozzarella cheese. Bake at 425°F for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is bubbly.
10. Pesto Cheesy Bread
Cut a baguette into slices. Spread pesto sauce on each slice. Add shredded mozzarella cheese and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Broil until the cheese melts and browns.
11. Pesto Risotto with Toasted Pine Nuts
Pesto risotto with toasted pine nuts is a match made in culinary heaven!
The vibrant herbiness of pesto perfectly complements the creamy, al dente rice, while the golden crunch of toasted pine nuts adds a delightful textural contrast.
12. Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad
Toss chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese with Caesar dressing and pesto sauce. Garnish with black pepper and lemon juice.
13. Pesto Turkey Burgers
Mix ground turkey with pesto sauce, minced garlic, and diced red bell pepper. Shape into patties. Grill or pan-sear until cooked through. Serve on brioche buns with lettuce and mayo.
14. Pesto Roasted Potatoes
Cut baby potatoes into halves or quarters. Coat with olive oil and pesto sauce. Roast for 20-25 minutes at 400°F or until golden brown and crispy.
15. Pesto Hummus
Blend chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and pesto sauce in a food processor until smooth. Serve as a dip with pita bread or veggies.
16. Pesto Shrimp Linguine
Sauté shrimp in garlic and olive oil. Add cooked linguine pasta and pesto sauce. Toss well and garnish with fresh basil and lemon zest.
17. Pesto Grilled Pork Chops
Marinate bone-in pork chops in pesto sauce and lemon juice for 1 hour. Grill for 8-10 minutes per side or until nicely charred and juicy.
18. Pesto Deviled Eggs
Cut hard-boiled eggs into halves. Remove the yolks and mash them with pesto sauce, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and paprika. Fill the egg whites with the mixture and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
19. Pesto Flatbread Pizza
Spread pesto sauce on store-bought flatbread. Top with grilled zucchini, red onion, feta cheese, and chopped Kalamata olives. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 10-12 minutes at 425°F.
20. Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms
Remove the stems and gills of large mushrooms. Mix cream cheese, pesto sauce, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stuff the mushrooms with the mixture. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 375°F or until bubbly.
21. Pesto Caesar Wrap
Spread pesto sauce on a whole-wheat tortilla. Add chopped romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, grilled chicken, and shaved Parmesan cheese. Wrap tightly and enjoy!
22. Pesto Grilled Veggies
Cut zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and red onions into wedges. Brush with pesto sauce and season with salt and pepper. Grill until tender and slightly charred.
23. Pesto Stuffed Bell Peppers
Fill bell peppers with a mixture of cooked quinoa, pesto sauce, black beans, corn, and shredded cheese. Bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
24. Pesto Gnocchi
Toss cooked gnocchi with pesto sauce, sautéed cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves for a quick and flavorful pasta dish.
25. Pesto Breakfast Scramble
Scramble eggs with a spoonful of pesto and diced sun-dried tomatoes for a flavorful breakfast.
26. Pesto Caprese Sandwich
Layer sliced fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato, and fresh basil leaves on a baguette. Spread pesto sauce on one side of the bread and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
27. Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms
Fill mushroom caps with a mixture of cream cheese, pesto, and grated Parmesan cheese. Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is bubbly.
28. Pesto Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Combine cream cheese, sour cream, shredded mozzarella, spinach, artichoke hearts, and pesto sauce. Bake until hot and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips or bread.
29. Pesto Zoodles
Toss spiralized zucchini (zoodles) with pesto sauce and sauté until tender. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and pine nuts.
30. Pesto Tofu Scramble
Crumble firm tofu and sauté with pesto sauce, diced bell peppers, and spinach for a tasty vegan breakfast option.
31. Pesto Brussels Sprouts
Roast halved Brussels sprouts with pesto sauce and grated Parmesan cheese until crispy and caramelized.
32. Pesto Stuffed Chicken Thighs
Cut a slit in boneless, skinless chicken thighs and stuff with a mixture of ricotta cheese, pesto sauce, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Bake until the chicken is cooked and the filling is golden.
33. Pesto Cheese Ball
Mix cream cheese, shredded cheddar, chopped nuts, and pesto sauce. Shape into a ball and roll in chopped fresh herbs. Serve with crackers.
34. Pesto Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Cut a slit in a pork tenderloin and fill with a mixture of pesto sauce, breadcrumbs, and grated Parmesan. Roast until the pork is cooked and the filling is golden.
35. Pesto Veggie Wrap
Spread pesto sauce on a tortilla. Add roasted or grilled vegetables, avocado slices, and fresh greens. Roll up and enjoy a delicious wrap.
36. Pesto Grits
Stir pesto sauce into a pot of creamy, cheesy grits for a delightful side dish.
37. Pesto Mozzarella Sticks
Coat mozzarella sticks in pesto-flavored breadcrumbs and bake until the cheese is melty and the coating is golden brown. Serve with marinara sauce.
38. Pesto Tabbouleh Salad
Combine cooked bulgur wheat, diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, fresh parsley, and a generous amount of pesto for a flavorful twist on tabbouleh.
39. Pesto Broccoli Soup
Make a creamy broccoli soup by blending cooked broccoli with pesto sauce, chicken or vegetable broth, and a touch of cream.
40. Pesto Coleslaw
Toss shredded cabbage and carrots with a mixture of mayonnaise, pesto sauce, and apple cider vinegar for a tangy coleslaw.
41. Pesto Cucumber Bites
Top cucumber slices with a dollop of pesto, a slice of cherry tomato, and a fresh basil leaf for a quick and refreshing appetizer.
42. Pesto Quiche
Mix eggs, milk, and pesto sauce, then pour into a pie crust. Add sautéed veggies, cheese, and bake until the quiche is set.
43. Pesto Crusted Tofu
Coat tofu slices with pesto-flavored breadcrumbs and bake until crispy and golden. Serve with a side of your choice.
44. Pesto Guacamole
Combine mashed avocado, diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and a spoonful of pesto for a flavorful twist on traditional guacamole. Serve with tortilla chips.
Final Thoughts,
As you can see, pesto sauce has near-endless possibilities when it comes to cooking.
Its versatility and bold flavors make it a great match to any dish, whether you want to jazz up a simple sandwich or prepare an elaborate pasta feast.
The above recipes are easy to make, delicious, and creative ways to use pesto. They’re also perfect for those times when you want to try something new or use up some leftover ingredients.
So go ahead and experiment with pesto in your kitchen. Who knows, you might even create your own signature pesto masterpiece!
