These pesto-inspired dishes are herby, bold, and bursting with flavor. From pasta to sandwiches, they bring a bright, aromatic twist to everyday meals.

Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

Pesto Chicken and Vegetables. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This Pesto Chicken and Vegetables dish is bursting with fresh, herby flavor. Juicy chicken pairs perfectly with crisp vegetables, all coated in a rich pesto sauce. It’s a simple, wholesome meal that works just as well for busy weeknights as it does for casual gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

Pesto Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Fresh, flavorful, and easy to toss together, this Pesto Pasta Salad is perfect for any occasion. The bright basil pesto adds a delicious punch to the tender pasta and vegetables. Serve it chilled as a side or light main that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta Salad

Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Sandwich

Air fryer chicken pesto sandwich on a white plate.
Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Sandwich. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

Skip the takeout and enjoy a crispy, flavorful Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Sandwich instead. Golden chicken and zesty pesto come together in a perfectly toasted sandwich that’s easy to make and seriously satisfying. It’s a quick lunch upgrade that feels gourmet without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Sandwich

Tuna Pesto Pasta

A plate of tuna pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes, a copper fork, and a pink linen next to a pan full of tuna pesto pasta.
Tuna Pesto Pasta. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Quick, hearty, and full of flavor, this Tuna Pesto Pasta makes weeknight dinners a breeze. The combo of tuna, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and garlic tossed in pesto creates a balanced, crave-worthy meal. It’s comfort food made simple.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Pesto Pasta

Two Pesto Chicken Pizza

Chicken Pizza loaded with Mozzarella  on a tray.
Two Pesto Chicken Pizza. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Double the pesto, double the flavor! This Two Pesto Chicken Pizza combines creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and both red and green pestos for an unforgettable twist. It’s a quick and easy dinner that tastes like something straight from a restaurant oven.
Get the Recipe: Two Pesto Chicken Pizza

Quick and Easy Oregano Pesto Pasta

Quick and Easy Oregano Pesto Pasta. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Creamy, aromatic, and packed with flavor, this Oregano Pesto Pasta comes together in minutes. The homemade sauce adds a comforting richness with a touch of sophistication. Perfect for busy nights when you want something fast yet special.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Easy Oregano Pesto Pasta

Avocado Pesto Pasta

Avocado Pesto Pasta. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Creamy avocado meets fresh herbs in this nutrient-packed Avocado Pesto Pasta. With crispy garlic chickpeas for texture and plant-based protein, it’s a wholesome and satisfying dish. Naturally vegan and nut-free, it’s comfort food that feels good to eat.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Pesto Pasta

Pesto Orzo Salad

A bowl of orzo salad with spinach, cherry tomatoes, and grated cheese on top.
Pesto Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Light, fresh, and full of flavor, this Pesto Orzo Salad is a crowd-pleaser for any season. Tender orzo pasta mixes with colorful veggies and homemade pesto for a zesty finish. It’s an easy side dish that shines at barbecues, picnics, or weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad

Pesto Salmon

Image shows Salmon with pesto and rice on a blue plate.
Pesto Salmon. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This Pesto Salmon brings together the best of both worlds — rich, flaky fish and bright, herbal pesto. It’s a healthy, elegant meal that’s easy to prepare yet feels special enough for guests. Every bite is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully balanced.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Cheese Bread Recipe with Spinach Pesto

Close-up of a sliced, freshly baked herb pull-apart bread on a wooden cutting board. The bread's crust is golden brown and speckled with finely chopped herbs. The interior appears soft and fluffy, with visible green herbs swirled throughout the bread.
Cheese Bread Recipe with Spinach Pesto. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This Cheese Bread with Spinach Pesto is the kind of recipe that steals the spotlight. Golden and soft with a savory filling of feta, Parmesan, and herby spinach pesto, it’s pure comfort in every bite. Perfect as a side or centerpiece, it turns any meal into a celebration.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Bread Recipe with Spinach Pesto

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, Iโ€™m Lucy! Iโ€™m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. Iโ€™ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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