Recipes with Pesto

A few years ago, I brought you a round up post with recipes with basil. That’s been a popular post, so I know you guys love fresh basil in the summertime! I’m right there with you.Today I’m bringing you another round up, this time it’s recipes with pesto! Because pesto is my favorite way to eat fresh basil, I thought it would be great to have a lot of different recipe ideas that use pesto.

Let’s start by talking about pesto a little bit, and then we’ll get to the recipes.

Pesto Ingredients

The basic ingredients for classic pesto are as follows:

• fresh basil
• pine nuts
• olive oil
• garlic
• parmesan cheese

There are so many different variations, however, and easy substitutions depending on your tastes and dietary needs. I love to make my Homemade Pesto with Spinach for that added boost of nutrition. I also often swap out the pine nuts and use almonds or walnuts, mostly because pine nuts are usually pretty pricey and I don’t always have them on hand. Pesto can be made vegan by using nutritional yeast in place of the Parmesan Cheese.

This Classic Basil Pesto recipe is one you can’t go wrong with if you want a more traditional pesto recipe.

I have a few pesto variations we also love, like Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto (make this Salmon Pasta with it!) if you want to stray from the classic.

Recipes with Pesto

All of the recipes here use pesto. In. most cases, you can use whichever variation of pesto is your favorite. This list should help you use up all of that fresh basil you have!

Sheet Pan Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

Orecchiette Pasta with Chicken Sausage

The Best Veggie Sandwich

This Veggie Sandwich is simple to make and has incredible flavor from the roasted vegetables and pesto! This is one of my very favorite lunch recipes.

Pesto Pasta Salad

This Pesto Pasta Salad is a healthier pasta salad and works just as well for dinner as it does as potluck dish! A long-time favorite Happy Healthy Mama recipe!

Parmesan Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp

Parmesan Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp features strands of spaghetti squash tossed with spinach, pesto, parmesan, and the most delicious seasoned shrimp! Love this recipe idea from Peas and Crayons.

Roasted Vegetable Pesto Quinoa Bowls

Roasted Vegetable Pesto Quinoa Bowls is pesto quinoa tossed with roasted vegetables. They’re a hearty vegetarian meal prep recipe! Great idea from Flavor the Moments.

Balsamic Portobella Caprese

This is an easy vegetarian recipe, is quickly flavored in a balsamic marinade, grilled and then topped with fresh mozzarella, pesto, tomato slices and fresh basil leaves. My mouth is watering! Recipe from Swirls of Flavor. 

Easy Blackened Shrimp and Pesto Pizza

Blackened Shrimp paired with homemade pesto on naan bread? Yes please! This easy recipe is full of flavor and 100% delicious. Great recipe from Food Wine Sunshine. 

Keto Salmon with Pesto

This easy baked salmon can be made in minutes and topped with any flavor pesto. You can’t go wrong with this healthy recipe from Joy Filled Eats. 

Low Carb Pesto Chicken & Spaghetti Squash Bake

This Low Carb Pesto Chicken and Spaghetti Squash Casserole is topped with mozzarella and tomatoes and SO unbelievably delicious! A one-dish Gluten Free, Keto Friend, and Kid-Friendly easy weeknight dinner! A must-try dinner idea from Cook at Home Mom.

Zucchini Noodle Nests and Eggs

A one-skillet breakfast of Homemade Herby Pesto and Spiralized Zucchini Egg Nests. It’s a big, healthy, veggie and protein packed recipe that’s perfect for your Gluten Free and Low Carb egg breakfast! Another great addition to our recipes with basil from Cook at Home Mom.

Grilled Pesto Chicken

The recipe includes instructions for both grilling and baking, and pesto adds the best flavor to any chicken recipe! Excellent idea from Everyday Eileen.

Pesto Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, and Asparagus

Delicious roasted potatoes and vegetable side dish that’s perfect to serve with your favorite protein. Potatoes, asparagus, and carrots are simply tossed in your favorite pesto sauce and roasted in the oven. Recipe from Will Cook for Smiles.

Pesto Spaghetti Squash

It doesn’t get much simpler than this (that’s a GOOD thing!) and what amazing flavor to add to your bowl of spaghetti squash! A great vegetarian main course or side dish. Love this idea from Mae’s Menu.

Summer Pesto Breakfast Stratta

This super pesto laden strata is perfect for summer brunches. Put it in the fridge overnight and bake it in the morning! If we ever have guests spend the night at our house again (you know..when this whole Covid thing ends) I’m making this. Great recipe from This Is How I Cook. 

Chicken Pesto Meatballs

These savory meatballs are made with ground chicken and then cooked in a creamy homemade basil pesto sauce which gives them a unique twist on a classic. This must-try recipe is from Chisel and Fork.

Instant Pot Pesto Chicken

Low Carb Instant Pot Pesto Chicken with Mozzarella cheese and juicy Roma tomatoes is incredibly delicious and ready in 20 minutes. If you’re looking for a low carb dinner you can make in your Instant Pot, try this one from This Old Gal. 

Baked Vegan Zucchini Fritters

These vegan fritters have zucchini and quinoa, they are baked and served with Pesto mayo. Delicious. Recipe from Brown Sugar & Vanilla. 

Let me know if you try one of these recipes with pesto and what you thought!