If pesto is your love language, you’re in for a treat! From classic basil blends to creative twists with avocado, walnuts, and even eggplant, pesto opens the door to endless culinary possibilities. Whether you’re looking to jazz up your pasta, add bold flavors to proteins, or experiment with unconventional combinations

Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

Roasted spatchcock chicken on a foil-lined tray, surrounded by carrots, zucchini, onions, bell peppers, and potato pieces—all elevated with a drizzle of flavorful pesto.
Pesto Chicken and Vegetables. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Savor a protein-packed dish featuring tender chicken and vibrant vegetables tossed in fresh, aromatic pesto. This versatile recipe is as wholesome as it is delightful.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

Pesto Pasta Salad

A bowl of bowtie pasta mixed with green beans, red bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and a flavorful pesto sauce—perfect for anyone who loves creative pesto recipes.
Pesto Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Perfectly al dente pasta meets a zesty pesto dressing in this fresh, herby salad. Add your favorite veggies for extra crunch and a splash of color.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta Salad

Roasted Jalapeno Cilantro Pesto

Roasted Jalapeno Cilantro Pesto. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Turn up the heat with this bold twist on traditional pesto! Smoky roasted jalapenos and fresh cilantro create a vibrant flavor that’s sure to excite your taste buds.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Jalapeno Cilantro Pesto

10-Minute Oregano Pesto Recipe

10-Minute Oregano Pesto Recipe. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Short on time? This quick oregano-based pesto serves up big flavor in just 10 minutes, making it an effortless way to elevate your meals.
Get the Recipe: 10-Minute Oregano Pesto Recipe

20-Minute Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken with Charred Tomatoes and Avocado

20-Minute Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken with Charred Tomatoes and Avocado. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Juicy grilled chicken, smoky charred tomatoes, and creamy avocado come together with the richness of homemade basil pesto in this showstopper dish.
Get the Recipe: 20-Minute Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken with Charred Tomatoes and Avocado

Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Sandwich

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

Crispy pesto chicken paired with soft, toasted bread and fresh toppings will make this sandwich an instant favorite for weeknight meals or lunches.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Sandwich

Avocado Pesto Pasta

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

Rich avocado blended with traditional pesto ingredients creates a creamy, dairy-free sauce that takes this pasta dish to a whole new level.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Pesto Pasta

Baked Pesto Salmon

Salmon with spinach sauce on a white plate.
Baked Pesto Salmon. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Impress your palate with moist, flaky salmon baked to perfection and topped with a fresh pesto glaze for an irresistible infusion of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Baked Pesto Salmon

Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad

Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad. Photo credit: This Wife Cooks.

Caprese-style ingredients like juicy tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil combine with pesto-coated pasta for a fresh and satisfying dish.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad

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.

This vibrant orzo salad combines Mediterranean flavors with bright pesto, crunchy vegetables, and a squeeze of fresh lemon for a light yet filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad

Pesto Salmon

Pesto Salmon. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pair pesto’s punchy flavors with rich, buttery salmon for a meal that beautifully balances indulgence and sophistication on any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Pesto Tortellini Salad

Pesto Tortellini Salad. Photo credit: The Healthful Ideas.

Cheese-stuffed tortellini mixes with fragrant pesto, cherry tomatoes, and arugula in this fun and hearty salad that’s simply bursting with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Quick and Easy Oregano Pesto Pasta

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

Brighten your weeknight dinner lineup with this simple pesto pasta that uses oregano for a fresh, unexpected twist on the classic.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Easy Oregano Pesto Pasta

Shrimp Pesto Pasta Salad

Shrimp Pesto Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Bless This Meal.

Succulent shrimp, crisp vegetables, and pesto-coated pasta combine to create a satisfying salad that’s both fancy and fuss-free.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Pesto Pasta Salad

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.

Canned tuna gets an upgrade when paired with pasta, bright pesto sauce, and cherry tomatoes for a budget-friendly yet flavor-packed dish.
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 fun! This pizza layers both green and red pestos on top of a crispy crust for a dynamic, delicious bite.
Get the Recipe: Two Pesto Chicken Pizza

Vegan Pesto Sauce

Homemade basil pesto in a glass jar surrounded by fresh basil leaves and a slice of lemon.
Vegan Pesto Sauce. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

No dairy? No problem! This creamy, nutty pesto uses nutritional yeast for a flavor-packed vegan alternative you’ll want to drizzle on everything.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pesto Sauce

Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad with Roasted Vegetables

Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad with Roasted Vegetables. Photo credit: Parsley & Parm.

Crunchy walnuts bring depth to this pesto, while roasted vegetables add color, flavor, and a boost of nutrients to your pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad with Roasted Vegetables

Creamy Eggplant Pasta with Ricotta Pesto and Olives

Creamy Eggplant Pasta with Ricotta Pesto and Olives. Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen.

Get creative with roasted eggplant, creamy ricotta pesto, and briny olives for a pasta dish that’s sophisticated, hearty, and unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Eggplant Pasta with Ricotta Pesto and Olives

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

Read More About Me

Follow Lucy on social media:

Posted in:

You May Also Like:

Sign up with your email address to receive a 5-day series of Southern Cooking Secrets, followed by weekly emails with recipes and tips. We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *