Fresh herbs, garlic, and nuts blend into a sauce that wakes up almost any dish. A spoonful can transform pasta, sandwiches, salads, or roasted vegetables in seconds. The vibrant color matches the lively flavor it brings to the table. Discover easy ways to enjoy this bold, basil-packed favorite in new forms.

Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

Pesto Chicken and Vegetables. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.
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Juicy chicken pairs with vibrant vegetables in a herby pesto sauce for a wholesome meal. Bursting with flavor, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Quick to prepare and packed with color and nutrition.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

Pesto Pasta Salad

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

Creamy pesto coats al dente pasta and fresh veggies for a refreshing, flavorful salad. Easy to make ahead and ideal for picnics or potlucks. A crowd-pleasing dish with bold herbal notes.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta Salad

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.

Golden, braided bread filled with zesty spinach and feta pesto emerges soft and fragrant. Garlic, oregano, Parmesan, and feta make it irresistible straight from the oven. Perfect as a show-stopping appetizer or side for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Bread Recipe with Spinach Pesto

Baked Pesto Salmon

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

Moist, flaky salmon baked with a creamy, herby pesto sauce delivers rich flavor with minimal effort. Serve over noodles, rice, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal. Fast, nutritious, and elegant.
Get the Recipe: Baked Pesto Salmon

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.

Tender pasta is tossed with tuna, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and garlic in a vibrant pesto sauce. Ready in minutes, it’s a simple yet satisfying weeknight meal. Packed with flavor and protein.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Pesto Pasta

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, juicy chicken is transformed into a flavorful sandwich with bright pesto and melty cheese. Easy to make and far superior to store-bought options. Perfect for lunch or casual dinners.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Sandwich

Avocado Pesto Pasta

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

Creamy avocado blends with basil pesto for a luscious pasta dish, topped with crispy garlic chickpeas. Vegan, nut-free, and easily made gluten-free, it’s nutritious and indulgent. Ready in minutes for a satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Pesto Pasta

Pesto Salmon

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

Fresh pesto brings a burst of herbal flavor to rich, tender salmon. Quick, healthy, and flavorful, it’s a balanced dinner that feels special yet easy. Perfect for weeknights or casual entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Pesto Orzo Salad

Orzo salad resting on a dark plate.
Pesto Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Fragrant basil pesto coats orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, and creamy cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired dish. Light, fresh, and packed with flavor, it’s perfect for lunch or a side at gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad

Quick and Easy Oregano Pesto Pasta

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

Velvety oregano pesto sauce turns simple pasta into a comforting, elegant meal. Ready in minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or a fast lunch. A sophisticated yet easy dish everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Easy Oregano Pesto Pasta

Two Pesto Chicken Pizza

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

Tender chicken, mozzarella, and ricotta come together on a flavorful pesto base for a quick and delicious pizza. Ready in minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner or casual meal. Perfect for pizza lovers craving something fresh and herby.
Get the Recipe: Two Pesto Chicken Pizza

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.

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