pesto recipes

21 Amazing Pesto Recipes For Meal Prep!

It’s hot outside, so let’s talk about basil pesto! Have you made it yet? Pesto is one of my absolute favorite, ultra-flavorful sauces. Great pesto tastes fresh, herbal, nutty, garlicky, and luxurious, all at once. Today, I’m sharing my favorite pesto recipes and my best pesto tips. Homemade pesto is infinitely tastier than store-bought varieties. While pesto always seems fancy and gourmet, homemade pesto is very easy to make in your food processor or blender.


21. Gluten Free Lean Green Avocado Spinach Pesto Pasta

Gluten Free Lean Green Avocado Spinach Pesto Pasta

This vegan, gluten-free lean green avocado-spinach pesto pasta with sautéed mushrooms comes together in a pinch. With just a small handful of ingredients and about 30 minutes of time, you’ll have a nourishing and super flavorful dinner for two. Because I’m incredibly indecisive and couldn’t decide on which pasta base to use, I ended up using two. Thus, you can pick your pasta path to dinner enlightenment by opting for either of these two beauts: zucchini noodles and brown rice pasta. 
Get the recipe here.


20. Keto Pesto Chicken Cauliflower Casserole Recipe

Keto Pesto Chicken Cauliflower Casserole Recipe

This keto chicken cauliflower casserole with pesto needs just 6 common ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time, and it’s loaded with veggies, protein, and cheese. When dinner needs to be easy… this keto chicken cauliflower casserole recipe will deliver! This is one of those meals that came together when I just had random ingredients in my fridge and threw them together. And it was so good, I had to share it. Bonus: this pesto chicken and cauliflower casserole happen to be full of healthy ingredients, like fresh veggies, pesto, and cheese. Use any store-bought pesto you like, or make homemade pesto sauce – it’s up to you.


19. Garlic Pesto Smashed Potatoes

Garlic Pesto Smashed Potatoes

Garlic Pesto Smashed Potatoes – the best potatoes recipe ever with smashed baby potatoes topped with delicious garlic pesto. So good! We all love potatoes as our side dish and I have many amazing roasted potatoes recipes on my site. This is the first time I tried smashed potatoes and I am instantly hooked. What an amazing texture and flavor combination, especially with the rich and delicious garlic pesto on the smashed potatoes. So yummy!
Get the recipe here.


18. Walnut Pesto with Basil

Walnut Pesto with Basil

Simple Basil Pesto with Walnuts, a rich sauce that can be eaten with bread and crackers or tossed onto cold or hot pasta or any protein to complete a meal. In fact, both herbs grew like crazy for being in such confined pots. I transplanted the mint to my courtyard where I have half of a wooden wine barrel that I use for a garden among some flowers. Wish the little mint leaves luck! Herbs that rely on my green thumb don’t always make it because I often forget an essential ingredient to a flourishing garden….water!
Get the recipe here.


17. Basil Pesto Cream with Tortellini

 Basil Pesto Cream with Tortellini

If you’re wondering what to do with all that wonderful pesto we made earlier this week, wonder no more. Make this simple, flavorful and delicious Basil Pesto Cream with Tortellini! There is something about this recipe that I love and can’t wait to make again. Maybe it’s the fresh, bold flavor of the fresh olive oil pesto, or the salty grated Parmesan cheese that draws me in – but whatever it is, I’m smitten. Sometimes I throw in some broccoli and make this a complete meal in a bowl. I don’t mind telling you that my version is way better than the banquet recipe!
Get the recipe here.


16. Parmesan Pesto Roasted Potatoes

Parmesan Pesto Roasted Potatoes

These four ingredient Parmesan Pesto Roasted Potatoes will become a staple side dish in your home! They only take minutes to prepare and the bold flavors of the parmesan cheese and pesto are sure to win you over!  These Parmesan Pesto Roasted Potatoes were a recipe I first tested out back in early August. Bad move. It was almost 100 degrees that day and cranking the oven to 400 degrees was not the smartest thing I’ve done. However, when they came out of the oven all crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and full of pesto flavor, I didn’t regret it for a second.
Get the recipe here.


15. Easy Vegan Almond Kale Pesto

 Easy Vegan Almond Kale Pesto

Vegan Almond Kale Pesto is a quick 5 minute recipe of pesto recipes, perfect for pasta, bread, and crackers! You’ll be spreading this pesto on everything! I have to admit, this vegan kale almond pesto is my new favorite sauce. I’m always experimenting with easy pestos and sauces to add to our meals. I love a quick pop of flavor that you can use with basically anything! Once you make your own pesto, you’ll have a hard time finding one that measures up in the store. I also kind that once you have a jar of homemade vegan kale pesto stashed in your fridge, you’ll be spreading it on everything! You’ll be spreading it on toast, tossing it in pasta, dipping your crackers in it!
Get the recipe here.


14. Easy Cheesy Pesto Pull-Apart Bread

Easy Cheesy Pesto Pull-Apart Bread

Pesto appetizer idea: Easy, 4-ingredient, pesto mozzarella pull-apart bread. Pesto mozzarella pull-apart bread for the win! I’m not sure I can possibly even articulate how incredibly delicious this pesto mozzarella pull-apart bread is. Oh. My. Word. My favorite flavors in one dish. I hereby pledge to serve this at every party I ever throw. It’s super-easy to make (only 4 ingredients!), but it is super-impressive to serve. I could eat this entire batch, by the way.
Get the recipe here.


13. White Pesto Lasagna

White Pesto Lasagna.

A simple White Pesto Lasagna for these days in between Christmas and New Years…simply the BEST. Layers of creamy cheese bechamel sauce with basil pesto and spinach. This dinner is always a favorite with our family, who are all in town right now for the holidays. It’s a great pesto recipes or meals for entertaining, just make it ahead of time, and bake it off before guests arrive. Serve with a big bright salad! This lasagna consist of 3 layers of noodles, pasta bechamel, and basil pesto. And we’re using pesto instead of ricotta cheese, so it has even more flavor and color!
Get the recipe here.


12. Vegan Avocado Pesto Pasta

Vegan Avocado Pesto Pasta

Vegan avocado pesto pasta is a filling and creamy twist on classic pesto. Made in less than 15 minutes, this quick recipe is packed with flavor and healthy ingredients. Avocado pesto pasta is creamy, flavorful, and packed with nutrients from spinach and avocado. It’s made just like regular pesto, but with the addition of avocado (and it’s dairy-free!). Choose your favorite pasta, mix up the avocado pesto, and enjoy an easy lunch with these pesto recipes Or enjoy avocado pesto as a dip with crackers and veggies!
Get the recipe here.


11. Basil Pesto Chicken and Veggies Recipe

 Basil Pesto Chicken and Veggies Recipe

Basil Pesto Chicken and Veggies made in one pan in 30 minutes or less. Chicken, broccoli, cauliflower, and sun-dried tomatoes in a delicious basil-spinach pesto sauce equals one fabulous meal! This easy dish is healthy, low-carb, gluten-free, and packed with both nutrients and flavour. Pesto Chicken and Veggies can be served alone as a very satisfying low carb meal, or tossed with cooked pasta for an amazing “carbolicious” lunch or dinner! This meal is packed with lean protein, fiber, and vitamins. I made it using my Easy Basil Spinach Pesto, but you could easily use store-bought as well. However, I really do recommend homemade. It only takes 5 minutes to make, it is so much healthier, and it tastes better too!
Get the recipe here.


10. Chicken Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes and Pine Nuts

 Chicken Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes and Pine Nuts

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a great choice for a simple weeknight dinner.  The recipe uses basic everyday ingredients and is perfect for family meals.  You can use homemade or store-bought basil pesto. This chicken pesto pasta is one of those recipes that you can easily adapt to what you have on hand.  The main ingredients, of course, include the basil pesto, chicken breasts (seared and thinly sliced), and pasta.  Basil pesto always goes well with tomatoes, so I highly recommend that you incorporate fresh tomatoes in this recipe.
Get the recipe here.


9. Creamy White Bean Lemon Pesto Orzo Soup.

. Creamy White Bean Lemon Pesto Orzo Soup.

Warming 20 minute Creamy White Bean Lemon Pesto Orzo Soup. Kind of like creamy risotto, kind of like soup, and so DELICIOUS. This is wholesome but comforting and the easiest to make using just one pot and 20 minutes. It’s warm and creamy, swirled with basil pesto, and finished with parmesan and a pinch of black pepper. Doesn’t get simpler or more delicious. This is a great mix. Originally when I set out to make this I was thinking it would be more of a soup. And it is, but this is an ultra-creamy soup. A bit of a cross between soup, creamy pasta, and risotto. So just as you would expect, pesto recipes are delicious.
Get the recipe here.


8. Basil Pesto Tomato Mozzarella Chicken Bake

 Basil Pesto Tomato Mozzarella Chicken Bake

Basil Pesto Tomato Mozzarella Chicken Bake – low carb and gluten-free recipe.  It’s easy to make, and only one pan is needed. Just pile all the ingredients on top of the chicken breasts in a baking dish and bake everything in the oven. Once the chicken is cooked, you’ll have lots of juices in the pan. Pour these delicious juices over cooked rice or cooked pasta, such as spaghetti or angel hair pasta, and serve these side dishes with this Mozzarella chicken. Because you bake everything in one pan, the cleanup is minimal.
Get the recipe here.


7. Chicken Pesto Pasta with Broccoli

 Chicken Pesto Pasta with Broccoli

This Chicken Pesto Pasta recipe blends the great flavor of pesto with bowtie pasta, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, and parmesan cheese for a delicious dinner in 30 minutes. I love this chicken and pesto pasta recipe. It is easy to make and has a delicious flavor that everyone will love. You can easily switch up the pasta in this recipe. I think the shorter pasta works better, like using penne pasta for a chicken pesto penne dish. How about using cheese tortellini for a chicken pesto tortellini meal? However, there is nothing wrong with using longer pasta and making this dish into a chicken pesto linguine, chicken pesto Fettucine, or chicken pesto spaghetti.
Get the recipe here.


6. Lemon Basil Pesto

Lemon Basil Pesto

Make the most of summer’s fresh basil and whip up this easy pesto recipes – two ways! Make Lemon Basil Pesto with walnuts or almonds, enjoy now or freeze for later! This recipe is vegetarian + gluten-free and easily vegan. Summer’s the best time to whip up all the things for preserving and basil pesto is no exception. Its freshness will last into the coldest of months tucked away in the freezer just waiting to be added to your favorite pesto recipes. Or use that pesto right away in great recipes like pesto pasta, pizza, scrambled eggs, dolloped on soup, smeared on crostini, or slathered on a grilled cheese!
Get the recipe here.


5. Basil Pesto Chicken Alfredo

Basil Pesto Chicken Alfredo

Basil Pesto Chicken Alfredo – An easy, delicious, and quick 30-minute chicken dinner recipe! My kids love “white noodles,” and this Basil Pesto Chicken Alfredo is no exception.  They can be picky at times, but I love that I can usually depend on a good pasta recipe to make sure they eat more than chicken nuggets and grilled cheese sandwiches. Because they would if I let them… Basil pesto is a great shortcut ingredient to use.  It’s packed with flavor, and I knew using it as a little marinade and putting it in the pasta would make a great dish!  It’s a winner winner chicken dinner folks!
Get the recipe here.


4. Pesto Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad

Italian Pesto Pasta Salad is the perfect quick and tasty side dish! Made with flavorful pesto, farfalle noodles, spicy pepperoni, and juicy cherry tomatoes, it will be your go-to side dish all year long! Summer BBQs are around the corner, and pasta salad is a must-have for all of your summer gatherings. It’s easy, fresh, and flavorful, and the whole thing can be put together in 20 minutes! I’m adding a little kick to your traditional pasta salad with some spicy pepperoni and some bruschetta tomatoes.
Get the recipe here.


3. Avocado Sandwich with Pesto and Sun-dried Tomatoes

Avocado Sandwich With Pesto And Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Avocado has always been my go-to, easy vegan sandwich filling. Using avocado in a sandwich is just so simple and delicious. Usually, it’s in guacamole form or just smashed into the bread with a sprinkle of salt and some nutritional yeast. Every once in a while though it’s nice to get a little fancier to keep things fresh. I still want something quick, especially if it’s for a weekday lunch, so this vegan avocado sandwich with pesto and sun-dried tomatoes is the perfect variation. This easy vegan sandwich filling only takes a few minutes to put together and travels really well. Of course, it’s also incredibly delicious!
Get the recipe here.


2. Baked Pesto Butter Salmon

Baked Pesto Butter Salmon

Baked basil pesto butter salmon with only a handful of ingredients is a quick and easy dinner pesto recipes. Low carb and keto-friendly! It will be perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have the energy and time to cook. Baked salmon with amazing basil pesto butter comes together so quickly you won’t even believe it! This baked salmon with pesto butter is one of the most amazing and delicious ways to eat this healthy fish. This baked salmon recipe delivers juicy, flaky salmon with an incredible pesto topping. If you like Costco salmon with pesto butter, you are going to love this restaurant-quality dinner!
Get the recipe here.


1. Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

This creamy pesto gnocchi recipe makes a fantastic side dish or meatless main course. It’s super easy pesto recipes (made in one pan) and takes only 20 minutes from start to finish! The pesto parmesan sauce in this recipe is super simple and really good. I also went ahead and added some extra garlic. Naturally. And a splash of white wine! If this recipe is looking somewhat familiar, I also have a Creamy Pesto Shrimp Gnocchi recipe, but I figured that having it as a standalone recipe (without the shrimp) would be a good idea too. 
Get the recipe here.


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