When warm weather arrives, my thoughts often turn to summer favorites like burgers, watermelon, and corn. But don't overlook the incredible freshness of pesto! While jarred versions are available year-round, nothing beats the taste of homemade pesto during the warmer months. To help you enjoy pesto even more, we've compiled the best recipes out there.
Pesto pairs wonderfully with pasta, but its uses extend far beyond that. Drizzle it over a grain bowl, use it as a pizza base, or serve it alongside grilled proteins and veggies. While there are many variations of traditional pesto, we'll focus mainly on the classic recipe, with a few exciting twists.
Essential Easy Pesto Recipe
Originating from Genoa, Italy, classic pesto consists of crushed garlic, pine nuts, salt, basil, and a hard cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano or pecorino, blended with oil. A food processor makes this process simple, but remember, pesto isn't limited to Italian dishes—it enhances almost any meal!
For those avoiding dairy, we also have a plant-based recipe that's sure to impress. Check out this easy vegan pesto recipe to whip up at home. Keep reading for our top pesto recipes that will inspire your cooking.
Tip: Enjoy pesto fresh or store it in a sealed jar for up to a week. To prevent discoloration, pour olive oil on top before sealing. Stir the oil back in before use.
The Best Pesto Recipes
Spring Potato Pizza with Asparagus and Burrata
Why We Love It: Pesto and potatoes on pizza? Yes, please! This unique combination offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors. Use a mandolin for ultra-thin potato slices that crisp beautifully during baking.
Hero Ingredient: Adding generous pieces of burrata on top elevates this dish.
Pesto Gnocchi Skillet Bake
Why We Love It: A quick weeknight dinner is essential in spring and summer. This recipe requires only six ingredients and minimal prep time, as most cooking happens in the oven. Pair it with a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Hero Ingredient: Gnocchi is my favorite pasta; it's perfect with pesto.
Peach, Pesto, and Balsamic Pizza
Why We Love It: Homemade pizza hits the spot, and this recipe celebrates summer flavors. The mix of herby pesto, creamy mozzarella, sweet peaches, and tangy balsamic glaze is unbeatable.
Hero Ingredient: The peaches truly shine on this pizza.
Pesto Parmesan Potatoes
Why We Love It: Looking for a perfect spring side? These pesto-parm potatoes are quick to prepare and add delightful flavor to any meal.
Hero Ingredient: With just five ingredients, the creamy texture of the perfectly-cooked potatoes steals the show.
Rigatoni with Brussels Sprouts & Kale Pesto
Why We Love It: Ideal for gatherings, this dish is easy to double and can be enjoyed at room temperature. The flavors are unexpected and will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Hero Ingredient: This kale pesto is heartier than the classic version and clings beautifully to rigatoni.
Orange-Chili Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Carrot Pesto and Grilled Carrots
Why We Love It: If you prefer a carrot-based pesto, this dish is for you! Grill carrots, then blend them with mint, garlic, walnuts, olive oil, honey, orange zest, and juice for a unique flavor profile. Sweet, spicy, and slightly smoky—it's addictive.
Hero Ingredient: Mint adds a fresh taste to both the pesto and the garnish.
Farinata with Caramelized Onions and Pesto
Why We Love It: If you're entertaining gluten-free guests, this dish is perfect! Chickpea flour provides a nutty base, topped with caramelized onions and a hazelnut-arugula pesto that captures spring flavors beautifully.
Hero Ingredient: For a bright, fresh taste, arugula is essential.
Avocado Toast with Kale Pesto and Crunchy Veggies
Why We Love It: Elevate your breakfast with this delightful twist. Top toasted sourdough with creamy avocado, a layer of vegan pesto, a hint of honey, and crunchy cucumbers or radishes for a colorful, satisfying meal.
Hero Ingredient: Everything spice is a must for avocado toast.
Pesto and Goat Cheese Frittata
Why We Love It: Frittatas make for a fantastic brunch option, but I enjoy them for dinner too. They're easy to prepare, filling, and the pesto adds bright herby notes that complement the tang of goat cheese.
Hero Ingredient: Goat cheese enhances every dish it touches.
Burrata with Pesto and Figs
Why We Love It: Burrata is always a hit, and the addition of pesto and figs takes it up a notch. This elegant dish is simple to prepare. If figs aren't in season, substitute with cherries, peaches, or pears.
Hero Ingredient: The figs shine in this dish, so ensure they're ripe and sweet.
Burrata Toasts with Caramelized Walnuts and Mint-Pomegranate Pesto
Why We Love It: Looking for a quick yet elegant appetizer? These toasts are topped with creamy burrata, crunchy walnuts, and fresh mint pesto. If pomegranates are out of season, feel free to omit them.
Hero Ingredient: This time, the burrata takes the spotlight.
Pesto Pasta Primavera
Why We Love It: This pasta dish is easier to prepare than it looks, allowing you to create an impressive meal with minimal effort. It's packed with flavor, nutritious, and easy to clean up. Just ensure your veggies are chopped to similar sizes for even cooking.
Hero Ingredient: Lemon zest is optional but adds a brightness you won't want to skip.
Veggie Grain Bowl With Spring Garlic Cashew Pesto
Why We Love It: A solid grain bowl is a must-have, and this one from a popular café fits the bill. It combines bulgur, farro, various veggies, and that classic basil pesto for a satisfying meal.
Hero Ingredient: A jammy boiled egg adds a protein boost to this dish.
Baked Pesto Salmon with Broccolini
Why We Love It: Healthy and flavorful, this baked salmon recipe requires just five ingredients and is hearty enough for dinner. In only 15 minutes, enjoy delicious, flaky salmon paired with pesto.
Hero Ingredient: Broccolini cooks quickly and is rich in vitamins A, C, and K.
Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Cilantro Pesto
Why We Love It: These tacos are not only nutritious but also satisfy your taco cravings. Vegan and gluten-free, the cilantro pesto adds a refreshing twist.
Hero Ingredient: Roasted cauliflower is versatile and transforms these tacos.
Roasted Butternut Squash Stuffed with Goat Cheese, Figs, and Pesto
Why We Love It: I adore butternut squash, but peeling and chopping can be a hassle. This recipe simplifies the process, resulting in a caramelized dish filled with tangy goat cheese, fresh pesto, figs, and crunchy pine nuts.
Hero Ingredient: Pine nuts add that essential crunch.
Zucchini Noodle Pesto Pasta
Why We Love It: Craving something lighter? Zucchini noodles deliver the pasta experience without the heaviness. This recipe is quick to prepare and absolutely delightful.
Hero Ingredient: If you haven't tried zucchini noodles yet, this dish is a great introduction. They're easy to spiralize or can often be found pre-spiraled at the store.
Caprese Pesto Penne
Why We Love It: Two of my favorite dishes merge in this recipe. Caprese salad's fresh flavors combine seamlessly with creamy mozzarella in a satisfying penne meal that's brought together by pesto.
Hero Ingredient: Buffalo mozzarella is a must for this dish.
Oven Risotto with Tuscan Kale Pesto
Why We Love It: While stirring risotto on the stovetop is romantic, it's not everyone's cup of tea. This recipe simplifies the process by baking the risotto, yielding the same creamy, garlicky results.
Hero Ingredient: Walnut pesto adds a hearty, nutty flavor.
Family-Style Pesto Chicken Cobb Salad
Why We Love It: Finding a satisfying salad can be tough, but this recipe delivers. It's easy to prepare and retains classic Cobb ingredients like bacon, boiled eggs, and crispy romaine, enhanced with pesto.
Hero Ingredient: Rotisserie chicken offers a convenient protein boost.
Peruvian Carrot Pesto
Why We Love It: We love to create pesto variations, and this one is packed with vibrant flavors. Fresh parsley and cilantro provide brightness, while pumpkin seeds add a delightful crunch. Don't forget to grab some Peruvian seasoning for an extra kick.
Hero Ingredient: Red wine vinegar adds the necessary acidity to balance the flavors.
Almond-Mint Pesto Pasta
Why We Love It: Mint makes a delightful alternative to basil in pesto. This pasta showcases its herby, floral flavor, perfect for when you want a change from traditional pesto.
Hero Ingredient: Asparagus adds a fresh spring touch; if it's not in season, substitute with peas.
Farro Salad with Kale Pesto
Why We Love It: Farro is a favorite grain of mine for its nutty flavor and health benefits. This salad is filling and packed with seasonal ingredients thanks to arugula, radish, and kale pesto.
Hero Ingredient: Balsamic vinegar adds a fruity touch to any dish.
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