47 Delicious Ways to Use Pesto

Pesto Stuffed Grilled Portobellos

"Pesto-stuffed grilled portobellos make for the perfect summer outdoor meal," according to recipe creator Larry Short. "It stands alone as vegetarian fare if you serve it with fresh fruit (such as watermelon chunks and blueberries)."

Heirloom Tomato Tart with Pesto and Mozzarella

"In these last days of summer, I made this fresh and light summer tomato tart," says recipe creator lolalobato. "I love it al fresco with wine. It's much nicer when you use variety of tomatoes like heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, mini Marzano, and pear tomatoes."

• Best Fresh Tomato Recipes

Fresh Pesto Pizza

"This is a basic vegetarian pizza that you can tweak to make your own special go-to dish," according to recipe creator greg.freed. "It's quick and easy and is the meal I plan for those busy nights when I can't spend much time in the kitchen."

Pesto Turkey Meatballs

"Ridiculously easy turkey meatballs ready in 30 minutes and full of flavor thanks to lots of pesto," says recipe creator Diana Moutsopoulos. "My kids love these turkey meatballs and they're endlessly versatile, and I love how quick and easy they are to make."

Pesto Chicken Bake

Who doesn't love a quick and easy sheet pan meal? Made with just four ingredients (red potatoes, cherry tomatoes, pesto, and chicken thighs), this one-pan meal will become a staple in your dinner rotation.

• Easy Sheet Pan Dinners

Pesto Puff Pastry Pinwheel

It couldn't be easier to make this perfect party appetizer with just three main ingredients: frozen puff pastry, prepared pesto, and ricotta cheese.

Pesto Chicken Spaghetti Squash Bake

Here's a healthy alternative to baked ziti or lasagna that everyone at your table will love. "Enjoy all the flavors of Italian night without the guilt," says recipe creator Love Sweat Mangia!.

Grilled Pesto Shrimp Skewers

You'll be proud to serve these four-ingredient skewers (made with shrimp, pesto, basil, and lemon juice) at your next summertime barbecue.

Pesto Sausage Biscuit Bites

"They won't be able to stop reaching for these tasty little sausage bites," says recipe creator Valerie Brunmeier. "They are perfect party food but also a great choice for a breakfast buffet."

Pesto Turkey Burgers

"I love these! I always use this to impress even the most pickiest eaters," says reviewer Shana. "I've put sun-dried tomatoes in them too and that was delicious!"

Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad

If you like traditional caprese, you'll love this pesto-flavored pasta salad with grape tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil. This recipe works well as a side dish or entree.

Goat Cheese Arugula Pizza

It takes less than half an hour to make this easy, restaurant-worthy pizza. "It'll take minutes to make and will disappear in even less time," says recipe creator collmarie.

Scallops with Pesto Cream Sauce

"It's a wonderful surprise when you find a recipe that's this easy and tastes like you might find it at a fine French restaurant," raves five-star reviewer DanaV.

• Scallop Recipes

Basil Pesto Potato Salad

This refreshing and easy recipe is a beautiful shade of green. It's absolutely perfect for your next St. Patrick's Day celebration, according to recipe creator thowlett1959.

Pesto Polenta Lasagna

Make this delicious dinner with just five ingredients: a package of polenta, a jar of marinara, pesto, pine nuts, and mozzarella. It only requires about 10 minutes of prep time.

Pesto Chicken

"A simple way to prepare chicken that looks like you spent a lot of time preparing," according to recipe creator Pjaros. "It can also be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until baked."

Pesto Zoodles

This healthy, satisfying, diet-friendly meal is easy to make with a spiralizer — but you can buy pre-made zucchini noodles in the freezer section of the grocery store.

• The Best Spiralizers, According to Reviews

Pesto-Crusted Grouper

"These grouper fillets are quick to make, and take minimal ingredients," according to recipe creator and Allrecipes Allstar thedailygourmet. "Enough to serve two people unless you're super hungry."

Egg Pesto Breakfast Wrap

"This is a great combination of ingredients for anyone who enjoys a good breakfast wrap," says recipe creator spinn710. "If you like a lot of pesto, spread it on the wrap before you add the eggs."

Basil Pesto Bread Rounds

A very easy, versatile recipe of a pesto topping on French bread slices," says recipe creator Sherbg. "One of my most requested recipes!"

Pesto-Stuffed Pork Chops

This impressive dinner comes together in under an hour with few ingredients. Recipe creator SDaisy2 says it pairs well with fresh steamed broccoli and a Caesar salad.

Pesto Cheesy Chicken Rolls

"This is a very simple yet exciting dish your family will love," says recipe creator CHOMPY. "It's something different from your average chicken recipe."

Chicken Pesto Paninis

"A delicious mix of chicken, pesto, veggies, and cheese all melted together on flavorful focaccia bread," says recipe creator LEAHMCINTYRE. "Simple, fast, and very tasty — a nice change from normal sandwiches."

• How to Make Panini Sandwiches Like a Pro

Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

"I first had this sandwich at a small restaurant and immediately went home to duplicate the recipe," says recipe creator RASSA2. "I've been making my grilled cheese sandwiches this way ever since!"

• Garden Fresh Tomato Soup

Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole

"Fantastic," according to reviewer Maggie. "Made it exactly as written and my whole family was delighted. As is often the case with pasta, the flavors 'married' overnight and the leftovers rocked!"

Mediterranean Pesto Pizza

Topped with Kalamata olives, tomatoes, and feta, these five-ingredient pizzas are easy to make with pesto-covered naan or Greek pita flatbreads.

Pesto Tuna Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

The classic tuna salad sandwich gets a major upgrade with a few tablespoons of pesto, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. Choose a hearty bread that can stand up to this heavy filling.

Grilled Pesto Chicken Kabobs

"Pesto can sometimes be overpowering, but not in this recipe," says recipe creator and Allrecipes Allstar Kim's Cooking Now. "Using it in a marinade adds the wonderful flavors of basil and garlic, without taking away from the natural flavors of the chicken and vegetables."

Pesto Egg Salad

"Easy recipe, no time at all to put together and tastes fantastic," raves reviewer Cookincutie. "Probably the best tasting egg salad ever. My friend loves it and asked for it again."

Pesto Scrambled Eggs

"Loved the pesto and eggs together," says reviewer WorldWideDeb. "To sneak some veggies in for my son, I cooked some onion, chopped zucchini and diced tomato in oil first."

Lauren's Pesto Polenta Bites

"Golden polenta slices are topped with homemade pesto, prosciutto, and roasted red peppers in this yummy appetizer," says recipe creator Lauren Caldaronello.

Pesto Chips

"I can't say enough good about this," raves reviewer and Allrecipes Allstar Soup Loving Nicole. "We loved it! The chips and Parm combo are a bit salty on their own, but the fresh basil ties it all together into perfection."

Tortellini Pesto Salad

"I was looking for a pasta salad with a twist and I definitely got what I was looking for," says reviewer amyd. "This salad was a HUGE hit — with several people asking me for the recipe."

Pesto Pancakes

There's a convenient secret ingredient in this savory pancake recipe: baking mix! You can use store-bought Bisquick or make a DIY mix to keep on hand.

• 19 Ways To Use Bisquick for Easy Cooking

Pesto Shrimp Sandwich

Seafood fans will absolutely love this five-ingredient shrimp sandwich, served on a crusty French baguette. This recipe makes four sandwiches, so it makes a great quick family meal.

Pasta with Pesto and Scallops

"A light and satisfying dish for those who enjoy a change from heavy sauces," according to recipe creator Nancy and Terry. "For variety try using linguini noodles."

Pesto Orzo with Roasted Zucchini

"I made up this recipe after finding out the health benefits of orzo," says recipe creator Maristela. "This is really tasty and light at the same time, a great dinner dish that will leave you asking for more."

Smoked Salmon Pesto Pasta

This impressive dinner is easy to make in about half an hour. A rich sauce made with tomato paste and basil pesto is the perfect complement to smoked salmon.

Penne with Chicken and Pesto

Here's a rich and creamy recipe that makes for a satisfying dinner. You can substitute chicken broth for heavy cream to cut calories, according to recipe creator MARYSTEVE.

Instant Pot Linguine with Pesto and Peas

Frozen peas give this flavorful pesto pasta, made creamy with ricotta and Parmesan cheese, a pop of gorgeous green color.

• Dinners That Start With Frozen Peas

Pesto Cream Cheese Dip

Make this delicious dip with just two ingredients you probably already have on hand: cream cheese and pesto. Recipe creator lil deb suggests serving on toasted slices of French bread.

Pesto Tomatoes

"A friend of mine makes these for me all the time and they are scrumptious," says recipe creator lovedody. "Make these ahead of time, and pop into the oven 15 minutes before guests arrive."

Dip For The Stars

"Looks beautiful on the table, tastes heavenly on your tongue," according to recipe creator DANA COLE, who says you can substitute vodka or gin for vermouth.

Baked Pesto Chicken Tenders

"Using only four ingredients and a few minutes of your time, these homemade chicken tenders are perfect for those busy weeknights," says recipe creator Soup Loving Nicole.

Poached Eggs Caprese

As soon as you taste this Italian-inspired take on eggs Benedict (made with mozzarella, tomatoes, and pesto), you'll add the recipe into your weekend breakfast rotation.

Puff Pastry Salmon

"An excellent blend of salmon, pesto, spinach and puff pastry," says recipe creator Danielle Harbold. "It tastes great and only takes a few minutes to put it all together!"

Tortellini Skewers

With just three ingredients (store-bought tortellini, cherry tomatoes, and pesto), you can make these deliciously easy appetizers.

More Inspiration

Find more delicious ideas in our collections of Great Ways to Use up Fresh Basil and Best Summer Recipes Starring Basil, the King of Herbs.