35 Pesto Recipes That Go Beyond Just Pasta (2024)

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35 Pesto Recipes That Go Beyond Just Pasta (1)Lisa Kaminski

35 Pesto Recipes That Go Beyond Just Pasta (2)Katie BandurskiUpdated: Feb. 09, 2024

    Whether you bought a jar of prepared pesto or have some fresh herbs laying around, enjoy our favorite recipes using pesto. We found delicious ways to include it in appetizers, dinners and even pizza!

    Pesto is such a versatile sauce that tastes fantastic on everything from pizza to pasta to toast.

    If you haven’t tried basil pesto, there are plenty of pasta dishes like this insanely delicious pesto shrimp pasta. If you’re more of a pizza lover, this easy pesto pizza will be an instant crowd-pleaser. While you can certainly make your own pesto, store-bought pestos will do the job just as well.

    Artichoke Chicken Pesto Pizza

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    Make pizza night an upscale affair with this fun twist on the traditional pie. A prebaked crust and prepared pesto keep things quick and easy. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

    Chicken Pesto Meatballs

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    Taste of Home

    These tender, pesto-stuffed meatballs get gobbled up in our house. They're short on ingredients, but packed with flavor. I always make a double batch, freezing the other half for a busy night. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa

    Easy Chicken Pesto Stuffed Peppers

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    On busy weeknights, I don’t want to spend more than 30 minutes preparing dinner, nor do I want to wash a towering pile of dishes. This peppers and pesto recipe delivers without having to sacrifice flavor! —Olivia Cruz, Greenville, South Carolina

    Feta-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

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    My husband adores mushrooms, and portobello mushrooms have loads of room for stuffing with feta cheese and pesto. Plan on one mushroom per person. —Amy Martell, Canton, Pennsylvania

    Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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    I made up this cheese and pesto recipe for the students in the foods and nutrition class I teach. The kids like it so much, they often go home and fix it for their families. —Beth Hiott, York, South Carolina

    Sweet Pea Pesto Crostini

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    Taste of Home

    I made a healthier spin on my favorite celebrity chef’s recipe by subbing in vegetable broth for some of the oil and going easy on the cheese. To top crostini, use this recipe for a pastelike pesto. For use on pasta, add more broth for a saucelike consistency. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

    Crunchy Lemon-Pesto Garden Salad

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    Taste of Home

    I love using fresh vegetables straight from the garden to prepare this salad. If I pick the squash and cucumbers early enough, their skins are so tender that there's no need to remove them! Best yet, the salad is easily adaptable—any fresh veggie from the garden can be put in with delicious results. —Carmell Childs, Orangeville, Utah

    Chicken Gnocchi Pesto Soup

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    After tasting a similar soup at a restaurant, I created this chicken gnocchi and pesto recipe. The pesto adds an extra-nice Italian flavor that is often missing from other gnocchi soups. —Deanna Smith, Des Moines, Iowa t

    Pesto Twists

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    Use pesto made straight from your garden if you make these in the summer or purchase it prepared from the grocery store to fill these easy appetizers. —Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids, Michigan

    Chicken Pesto Roll-Ups

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    One night I looked in the refrigerator and pondered what I could make with chicken, cheese, mushrooms and pesto. This pretty pesto recipe was the result. Add Italian bread and a fruit salad for a complete meal! —Melissa Nordmann, Mobile, AL

    Pesto Quinoa Salad

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    Taste of Home

    My daughter-in-law got me hooked on quinoa, and I’m so glad she did! I’ve been substituting quinoa in some of my favorite pasta recipes, and this pesto dish is the happy result of one of those experiments. I love using my garden tomatoes and peppers in this salad; however, sun-dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers are equally delicious. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

    Creamy Pesto ‘n Bacon Eggs Benedict

    Taste of Home

    One of my favorite brunch dishes is eggs Benedict. While I adore the traditional version, I also have fun using other flavors. This is my Italian take using a semi-homemade creamy pesto sauce.—Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

    Garlic-Grilled Chicken with Pesto Zucchini Ribbons

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    The first time I substituted zucchini noodles for regular pasta, it was because I was trying to reduce carbohydrates and calories. Now I make them because we love the flavor and texture they bring to dishes. This dish is just as delicious if you substitute shrimp for the chicken. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey. If you enjoyed this, then you must try our favorite garlic scape pesto.

    Pesto Flatbread

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    We kneaded basil, oregano and Parmesan cheese into packaged bread dough for this full-flavored crust. Purchased pesto sauce keeps the pesto flatbread big on taste and convenience. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Prosciutto-Pesto Breakfast Strata

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    Taste of Home

    I'd never tried prosciutto before this recipe, and it instantly made me a big-time fan! The layers of flavor in this dish are brilliant, making it well worth the time and a must for your recipe box. —Vicki Anderson, Farmington, Minnesota

    Bacon-Wrapped Pesto Pork Tenderloin

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    Taste of Home

    I love to serve this family-favorite tenderloin—maybe because of the compliments that come with it! When the weather warms up, we grill this pesto recipe instead. —Megan Riofski, Frankfort, Illinois

    Chicken Pesto Sandwiches

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    This easy chicken pesto recipe is just right for game day! The sandwiches are tasty as well as easy to prep ahead and assemble later at the event. —Colleen Sturma, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    Taste of Home

    This smoky grilled pizza scores big with me for two reasons: It encourages my husband and son to eat greens, and it showcases fresh produce. —Sarah Gray, Erie, Colorado

    Party Pesto Pinwheels

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    I took a couple of my favorite recipes and combined them into these delicious hors d'oeuvres. The colorful and impressive snacks come together easily with refrigerated crescent roll dough, prepared pesto sauce and a jar of roasted red peppers. —Kathleen Farrell, Rochester, New York

    Grilled Pesto, Ham and Provolone Sandwiches

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    These Italian-style sandwiches are loaded with zesty flavors. To lighten them a little, use fat-free mayo. We serve them with minestrone or a crisp salad. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California

    Pesto Vegetable Pizza

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    My family loves pizza night, but we have rarely ordered takeout since I created this fresh and flavorful version. It is a fast and scrumptious meal that is always a winner in my house. —Kate Selner of Lino Lakes, Minnesota

    Garden Vegetable Gnocchi

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    When we go meatless, we toss gnocchi (my husband's favorite) with veggies and a dab of pesto. I use zucchini in this, too. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

    One-Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta

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    When my garden basil goes nuts, I make pesto and keep it frozen in small containers for the right opportunity, like this saucy one-pot chicken pesto pasta recipe. —Kimberly Fenwick, Hobart, Indiana. Looking for more? Try our favorite pesto pasta recipe.

    Pesto Mashed Potatoes

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    Rich and creamy mashed potatoes get a pop of flavor with a swirl of pesto just before serving. These Pesto Mashed Red Potatoes are a fabulous way to amp up Thanksgiving dinner or dinner on a Tuesday night. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Originally Published: October 14, 2020

    35 Pesto Recipes That Go Beyond Just Pasta (28)

    Lisa Kaminski

    Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.

    35 Pesto Recipes That Go Beyond Just Pasta (29)

    Katie Bandurski

    As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments.When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.

    35 Pesto Recipes That Go Beyond Just Pasta (2024)

    FAQs

    What can I do with pesto besides pasta? ›

    1. 10 Ways to Go Beyond Pasta with Pesto. Once you have your pesto of choice, try it in one of these fun pasta-less ideas!
    2. Mix It into Dips. ...
    3. Top Your Breakfast. ...
    4. Replace Pizza Sauce. ...
    5. Bake into Bread. ...
    6. Spread on a Sandwich or Flatbread. ...
    7. Mix into Salad Dressing. ...
    8. Toss (or Top) Veggies.

    How do you use a lot of pesto? ›

    Easy Ways to Use Up Pesto

    You can use it to easily upgrade fish, salads and bread—or make a big batch of pesto pasta. One of our favorite ways to use it up? This simple soup. Although it's made with just five ingredients, the cooking technique packs the soup with flavor.

    What goes with pasta with pesto? ›

    A slice of bread goes with pesto pasta. Pair this pasta with Rosemary Olive Oil Bread or No Knead Focaccia. Veggies. Sauteed Zucchini Recipe, Roasted Mushrooms, or Roasted Broccoli and Carrots would be scrumptious paired with this pasta.

    How do you use pesto from a jar? ›

    Swirl into soup before serving, add a spoonful on the side of roast chicken and salad, or dollop over your favourite lasagne. If you've only got a scraping left, pour a little extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar into the jar, screw on the lid and shake to make a salad dressing.

    What do Italians do with pesto? ›

    Italian Tradition

    Pesto is the perfect sauce to enjoy with a dish of trofie (the traditional Ligurian short pasta), lasagna, potato gnocchi or as a topping for a bowl of minestrone. It can be mixed into tomato sauce to enhance the flavor of pasta dishes or used with fish fillets to make them more appetizing.

    What does pesto pair well with? ›

    Creative Ways to Use Pesto
    • Summer Orzo Soup with Basil Pesto.
    • Sliced Steak, Pepper & Onion Sandwich with Pesto.
    • Roasted Greek Potatoes with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto.
    • Seared Salmon with Pesto Butter.
    • Stuffed Chicken Breast with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto.
    • Pesto Shrimp Skewers.
    • Pesto Fettuccine with Poached Egg.
    Jul 14, 2020

    How long does pesto last in the fridge? ›

    Pesto will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you've stored it in the freezer, it will last for 6 months. When you're ready to use frozen pesto, thaw it overnight in the fridge or place the container of pesto in a bowl of warm water for a quicker thawing time.

    Do you put whole jar of pesto in pasta? ›

    In Italy, you'll find that chefs use just enough pesto to coat the pasta, and they certainly don't allow the dish to drown in it. As a very rough guide, your pesto should weigh about 2/3 the weight of the dried pasta you are cooking.

    Can I freeze pesto? ›

    You can freeze pesto in larger amounts (1/2 to 1 cup) that can be tossed with pasta for a quick dinner, as well as smaller amounts (1 to 2 tablespoons) that can be added to other dishes for a burst of basil pesto summer flavor when the weather turns less warm and sunny.

    Can I eat pesto pasta everyday? ›

    You'll want to be mindful of the sodium content. Some jars have more than 500mg per serving and the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines recommend you eat no more than 2,300mg per day. It would be hard to stay within those guidelines if you get more than 20% of your sodium from pesto.

    What is the best cheese for pesto? ›

    Most pesto recipes call for Parmesan cheese; we often use Romano which has a stronger flavor. Basil pesto recipes often call for pine nuts, but you can easily substitute walnuts.

    What kind of meat goes with pesto? ›

    Pesto Meat Recipes
    • Pesto Pork Chops. This is our ultimate weeknight comfort food.
    • Pesto Meatloaf. Traditionalists with balk at the idea of a pesto meatloaf, but that's only because they haven't tried ours.
    • Pesto Meatballs. ...
    • Pesto Schnitzel. ...
    • Pesto Stuffed Chicken Breasts. ...
    • Pesto Lamb Shank Tagine.

    How to jazz up pesto pasta? ›

    Here are 25 yummy things to add to your next pesto pasta salad:
    1. Grape or cherry tomatoes, halved.
    2. Green peas, thawed.
    3. Feta cheese, crumbled.
    4. Kalamata olives, pitted and halved. Kalamata olives.
    5. Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained.
    6. Roasted broccoli, chopped.
    7. Zucchini or summer squash, diced, cooked or raw.
    8. Red onion, diced.
    Apr 26, 2018

    What to add to store-bought pesto? ›

    14 Ways To Add More Flavor To Store-Bought Pesto
    1. Upgrade with a drizzle of olive oil. ...
    2. Bring a touch of heat. ...
    3. Pour in a bit of acid. ...
    4. Shape it with heavy cream. ...
    5. Integrate some green vegetables or fresh herbs. ...
    6. Incorporate additional nuts or seeds. ...
    7. Swirl in flavored salt. ...
    8. Scoop in a small amount of mayonnaise.
    Mar 31, 2024

    Do you heat pesto before adding to pasta? ›

    Pesto is a cold prepared condiment that should not be heated, let alone reheated. This is one of the reasons you use mortar and pestle to prepare it instead of blender.

    Is pesto healthier than pasta sauce? ›

    The Bottom Line. Pesto is higher in calories than some sauces but it's also made with super-healthy ingredients, like basil, olive oil and nuts. I find it's a great way to add more flavor to pasta dishes and even vegetables and proteins.

    Can you just eat pesto? ›

    Almost all the jarred pestos you find in the supermarket will have been pasteurised to not only ensure that they can last a long time unopened, but so they are perfectly safe to eat straight from the jar. There is no need to heat pesto, although too many people do.

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