7 of the Best Pesto Recipes (2024)

Has it started to warm up where you are?

I was beginning to wonder if spring was ever going to show up here in Washington. Our weather has been in the 60's for, what seems like, forever. Gray, drizzly, windy?

So annoying!

Then, out of the blue, it hit 88 degrees yesterday?

Ya, we didn't have the AC hooked up yet, so it was oh, ummmmmm, 82 in my house!

I quickly learned that I must be careful what I wish for!!

Today it is supposed to just be about 75

*whew*

At least Kevin did hook up the AC so the pups and I won't melt if it gets into the 80's again.

Speaking of the puppies. Many of you have asked for pics of them, so here you go.

My handsome boy Hawk. Can you believe how big he is? A far cry from the little 9-pound puppy we brought home 4 months ago!!

Little Miss Sia? such a pretty girl! But she has already grown from 18 pounds to 31 pounds in 1 month!!

I swear I am not feeding them Miracle Grow!!

Anywho, enough with the baby pics, it is the recipes you came for right? And some damn good recipes they are!

The reason I brought up the heat (I know y'all were like umm bring it around from that weather stuff woman) is because I hate heating up the kitchen, or cooking for long amounts of time when it is hot outside.

I just want to relax, with the AC, an ice tea, and some cheesy Rom Coms.

Pesto is the answer to that peeps!!

Why?

#1 No cooking

#2 You can make it from just about anything, I swear!

#3 It is a great way to sneak veggies in on your picky eaters.

#4 It is SO versatile! I will share 70 different things you can make with pesto (some do require cooking though)

So let's get on to the recipes, and ideas shall we?

Still looking for pesto ideas? Cool, here are 50 more!!

1. Pesto Meatballs

Mix 1 pound ground turkey with 1/2 cup each breadcrumbs and pesto, and 1/4 cup each milk and parmesan. Form into small balls. Cook in a nonstick skillet with olive oil, 10 to 12 minutes.

2. Meatballs in Pesto Cream

Make pesto meatballs (#1); cook until just browned, then add 1 cup chicken broth and 1/4 cup pesto and simmer until tender. Stir in 1/2 cup cream and simmer.

3. Pesto Burgers

Make Pesto Meatballs (#1) but form into patties and grill. Serve on toasted ciabatta rolls with pesto, mozzarella, tomato and arugala.

4. Pesto Pizza

Split a loaf of french bread and brush with pesto. Top with capicola, shredded mozzarella, and grated parmesan. Broil until the cheese melts.

5. Italian BLT

Spread pesto mixed with mayo on toasted bread; fill with crisp pancetta, sliced tomato and arugala.

6. Pesto Fritters

Mix 1 cup each ricotta and chopped spinach, 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup each grated parmesan and pesto, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; chill 30 minutes. make small patties (about a tablespoon) and deep-fry in 350-degree vegetable oil until golden, 4 minutes. Serve with marinara sauce.

7. Pesto Butter

Mash 3/4 cup pesto into 4 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter.

8. Pesto Corn

Grill or steam corn, then brush with Pesto Butter (#7). Sprinkle with parmesan.

9. Pesto Sweet Potatoes

Baked sweet potatoes at 425 until tender, 40 minutes. Quarter lengthwise and spread with Pesto Butter.

10. Pesto Cream Tortellini

Simmer 1 cup heavy cream with 1/4 cup pesto in a skillet until slightly thickened. Stir in 1/4 grated parmesan. Toss with 12 ounces cooked tortellini and 2 cups steamed broccoli.

11. Ricotta-Broccoli Pasta

Toss 1 pound cooked orecchiette with 1/2 cup each pesto, ricotta, and grated parmesan. Add 1 bunch steamed baby broccoli.

12. Baked Pesto Gnocchi

Toss 1 pound cooked gnocchi with 3 tablespoons pesto and 1 tablespoon softened butter in a baking dish. Sprinkle with grated pecorino and broil until golden.

13. Tuna-White Bean Pasta

Cook 1 sliced garlic clove in a skillet with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 minute. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 can each drained tuna and white beans, add 1/4 cup pesto. Toss with 12 ounces cooked spaghetti and some torn basil.

14. Pesto Primavera Salad

Toss 12 ounces cooked gemelli or penne with 4 cups sliced steamed vegetables, 1 cup diced mozzarella, 3/4 cup pesto and 1/4 cup grated parmesan. Top with toasted sliced almonds.

15. Potato-Pesto Pasta

Cook 1/2 pound cavatelli and 1/2 pound chopped peeled russet potatoes in boiling water until tender, 8 to 9 minutes. Driain and toss with 1/4 cup pesto and some of the cooking liquid.

16. Calamari-Pesto Pasta

Make Potato-Pesto Pasta (#15). Saute 1 pound calamari in a skillet with olive oil, 3 to 4 minutes. Toss with pasta.

17. Pesto Muscles

Saute 4 sliced garlic cloves in a pot with olive oil until golden, 2 minutes. Add 2 pounds muscles and 1 cup white wine; cover and cook until the muscles open, about 4 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons pesto.

18. Pesto-Clam Linguine

Make Pest Muscles (see above) using clams instead of muscles. Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Toss with linguine.

19. Pesto Green Beans

Toss 1 pounded steamed green beans with 3 tablespoons pesto and the juice of 1/2 lemon.

20. Pancetta-Pesto Peas

Cook 4 ounces diced pancetta in a skillet with olive oil until crisp; remove with slotted spoon. Add 1 bag frozen peas and 1 cup water to the skillet; simmer until tender, 10 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons pesto and heat through.

21. Pesto Orzo with Peas

Make Pancetta-Pesto Peas (#20). Stir in 1 1/2 cups cooked orzo and 2 tablespoon grated parmesan.

22. Pesto Potato Salad

Cook 2 pounds quartered new potatoes in salted boiling water until tender, 10 to 15 minutes, drain and cool slightly. Whisk 1 cup mayo, 3 tablespoons pesto and the juice of 1 lemon; toss with the potatoes and 1 cup diced celery.

23. Pesto Chicken Salad

Whisk 3 tablespoons pesto with 1/4 each mayo and sour cream. Stir in 4 cups chopped cooked chicken, 1/2 cup chopped celery and 1/4 cup each chopped red onion, walnuts, and crisp bacon.

24. Pesto Egg Salad

Whisk 1/4 cup mayo, 2 tablespoons each pesto and olive oil, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Fold in 8 chopped hard boiled eggs, 1 cup chopped celery and 2 tablespoons minced red onion.

25. Pesto Tuna Salad

Toss 2 cans drained tuna, 1 can drained chickpeas, 1/4 cup each chopped parsley, red onion, and roasted red peppers, 3 tablespoons pesto and 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar.

26. Pesto Succotash

Cook 5 cups corn, 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes and 1/4 cup red onion in a skillet with 1 tablespoon butter until soft, 5 minutes. Add 2 cups cooked lima beans and1/4 cup heavy cream; heat through, then stir in 2 tablespoons pesto.

27. Lemon-Pesto Dip

Whisk 1/2 cup sour cream with 1/4 cup each mayo, parmesan, and pesto, 2 tablespoons capers and 2 teaspoons each lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper.

28. Pesto Hummus

Mix 1 cup hummus with 2 tablespoons pesto. Top with chopped mint, toasted pine nuts and a dash of paprika.

29 Pesto Croutons

Toss 4 cups bread cubes, 3 tablespoons pesto and 2 tablespoon oilve oil. Spread on a baking sheet; bakes 20 minutes at 350.

30 Pesto Panzanella

Toss Pesto Croutons (#29) with 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons olive oil, some chopped tomatoes and cucumber, sliced red onion and more pesto.

31. Pesto Salad

Whisk 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar and 1/4 cup pesto. Toss with baby greens and serve with baquette toasts spread with goat cheese.

32. Pesto Caesar Salad

Whisk 2 tablespoons pesto with 1/2 cup Caesar dressing. Toss with romaine and croutons; top with shaved parmesan.

33. Pesto Quesadilla

Saute 1/2 cup each sliced scallions, mushrooms and zucchini with some pesto, minced jalapeno and cilantro. Brown a flour tortilla in a skillet with butter; top with the veggies, shredded muenster and another tortilla. Flip and cook.

34. Pesto Grilled Cheese

Brush 2 slices rustic bread with pesto, then sandwich with sliced cheddar or provolone. Butter the outside of the bread and cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden.

35. Pesto Tomato Soup

Cook 3/4 cup chopped shallots and some fresh thyme in a pot with butter. Add 1 large can of crushed tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 cup cream; simmer 20 minutes. Puree, then stir in 3 tablespoons pesto.

36. Pesto Steak

Mix 1/4 cup pesto, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon hot water. Grill or broil 1 1/4 pound skirt steak; brush with the pesto.

37. Pesto Frittata

Cook one grated zucchini in an ovenproof skillet with butter. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped parsley and 2 tablespoons each pesto and grated parmesan. Add 6 beaten eggs and cook until almost set 3 minutes. Bake in a 350 oven until set, 15 minutes.

39. Pesto Wings

Marinate 2 pounds chicken wings in 1/2 cup pesto and 1/4 cup each cider vinegar, hot sauce and honey. Roast at 425, 40 minutes. Toss with chopped basil and mint.

40. Pesto Lamb Kebabs

Skewer 1 pound cubed lamb and some red onion. Brush with a mixture of 1/4 cup pesto and 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar. Marinate 1 hour, then grill.

41. Pesto Salmon Cakes

Mix 1 pound cooked flaked salmon with 1 cup panko, 1/4 cup pesto, 1 egg and 1 tablespoon lemon zest. Form patties; cook in an oiled skillet, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Serve with tartar sauce mixed with pesto.

42. Pesto Swordfish

Mix 1/4 cup pesto with the juice of 1 lemon and 1 tablespoon hot water. Spoon over grilled or broiled swordfish.

43. Pesto Shrimp

Marinate 1 pound shrimp in 2 tablespoons each pesto and olive oil; add 1 lemon (cut into wedges) and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Grill about 3 minutes per side. Season with salt.

44. Pesto Roast Chicken

Mix the juice of 1 lemon, 1/3 cup pesto, and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes; rub onto a 6-pound chicken. Stuff with garlic and lemon. Roast in a 375 oven about 2 hours.

45. Pesto-Sausage Chicken

Mix 1/2 pound crumbled sausage with 1/4 cup pesto, 1 chopped shallot and 2 tablespoons each breadcrumbs and grated pecorino. Stuff under the skin of 4 bone-in chicken breasts. Roast in a 375 over, about 45 minutes.

46. Pesto Beans

Saute sliced garlic cloves and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a skillet with olive oil. Add 2 cans drained cannellini beans and 1 cup water; simmer until thick, 8 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons pesto and 2 tablespoons grated parmesan.

47. Pesto Bean Soup

Make Pesto Beans (#46). Add 3 cups chicken stock and 1 cup chopped celery; cook 15 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup each chopped olives and roasted peppers.

48. Pesto Mash

Boil 3 pounds peeled russet potatoes until tender. Mash with 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 1/4 cup olive oil and 3 tablespoons pesto.

49. Pesto Cornbread

Prepare an 8.5-ounce box cornbread mix as the label directs, adding 3 tablespoons pesto to the batter.

50. Pesto Frites

Whisk 1/3 cup mayo, 2 tablespoons each pesto and olive oil, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Serve with french fries.

Hint - freeze your pesto in an ice cube tray to give you small portions of pesto to be defrosted and used. It will last forever!