20 Quick & Easy Pesto Recipes

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Basil pesto sauce is used in a number of recipes and it takes the recipe to another level. Let’s find the best pesto recipes.

Easy Pesto Recipes

1. Basil Pesto

It is an authentic Italian pesto and you can use it in salads, sandwiches and many other recipes. You can use Thai basil or lemon basil, but they all have different flavors, but they all will taste good.

You need a food processor for this. It hardly takes 10 minutes to make. You can make it with pantry staples.

The ingredients include basil leaves, pine nuts, lemon juice, salt, and Parmesan cheese. Pine nuts are one of the most important ingredients, but you can replace it with walnuts or almonds.

Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for a week. It freezes well for 3 months.

2. Pesto Pasta

This is one of the best pesto recipes. I don’t like dry pasta, I like the one that’s a bit greasy. You can use any pasta of your choice but I prefer spaghetti or penne.

Pasta is a big hit in our home, so I always try different variations of pasta. It is a family favorite comfort food.

The ingredients include pesto, pasta cooking water, salt and pasta. You can add Parmesan on top while serving. Keep the leftovers. if any, in a sealed container in the fridge.

3. Creamy Pesto Chicken

It is a quick and easy dinner recipe. It is for busy weeknights or date nights. This is one of the best pesto recipes.

This recipe takes just over half an hour to make, including 10 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of cooking time.

The ingredients include grape tomatoes, skinless chicken breasts, heavy cream, garlic and pesto. It is best served with pasta or rice.

4. Walnut Pesto

It is another way to make pesto sauce. It freezes well, so you can enjoy it for a long time.

You can make this in just 15 minutes. The ingredients include walnuts, black pepper, basil, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. You can serve it with sandwiches or pasta.

It is best served fresh, but if you have leftovers, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will be good for up to a week.

5. Pesto Pizza

This is one of the most popular pesto recipes in our home and of course, the name says it all, it’s pesto pizza. We as a family are pizza lovers.

You require a blender or a food processor. It takes almost two and half hours to make, including 15 minutes of prep time and 2 hours 25 minutes of cooking time.

The other equipment required are a pizza brush, a pizza pan, and a pizza cutter.

To make it preheat the oven to 475°F and bake for 15 minutes. Mozzarella cheese is one of the most important ingredients here.

The ingredients include pizza dough, pesto, mozzarella cheese, basil and cornmeal. You can use store-bought dough or homemade dough.

Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 5 days. It freezes well for 3 months.

6. Vegan Pesto

This is for vegans, but others can make it too. It is a quick and easy recipe. I love to serve it with breadsticks.

You need a blender for this. The recipe is gluten-free and takes only 5 minutes to make. The ingredients include basil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pine nuts or walnuts.

Keep the leftovers in a sealed container and it will be good for a week. It freezes well for a month.

7. Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad With Mozzarella And Basil Pesto

This is a nutrient-rich rich healthy recipe. It is great for summer parties, picnics or potlucks. It can be a great make-ahead recipe.

It takes 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking time. The ingredients include red cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese balls, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and avocado.

It is best served with grilled chicken, salmon or roasted lamb. I must say it is one of the most colorful, impressive-looking salads.

8. Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

It is one of the best pasta recipes for picnics and potlucks. This is perfect for summer. It is a crowd favorite, too. It is a versatile recipe, and so I love it more.

You can serve it in just 10 minutes, including 8 minutes of prep time. The ingredients include cheese tortellini, mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, pesto and onion.

It is best served with Italian hoagies or sandwiches. You can make it even 2 days in advance. It is one of the most loved pesto recipes.

9. Nut Free Pesto

If you have a nut allergy but still want to enjoy pesto sauce, this is for you. You need a blender or a food processor.

It is a quick recipe and hardly takes 5 minutes to make. The ingredients include garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, basil and ground pepper. It is best served with pasta or rice.

It freezes well, too. I am not allergic to nuts, but still I make it as it’s so delicious.