10+ Pesto Recipes to Spice Up Your Meals

Pesto is a vibrant and flavorful sauce that can elevate many dishes.

Whether you’re tossing it with pasta, spreading it on bread, or using it as a dip, there are countless ways to enjoy this delicious green sauce.

It’s easy to make at home and can be adapted with various ingredients to suit your taste.

In this article, you will find a variety of pesto recipes to inspire your cooking. Each recipe offers a unique twist on the classic basil pesto, allowing you to explore different flavors and ingredients.

Let’s dive into the world of pesto and discover how you can create tasty meals that everyone will love.

1) Classic Basil Pesto with Pine Nuts

Making classic basil pesto with pine nuts is fun and quick. You’ll enjoy the fresh flavors that come together beautifully.

Start by gathering your ingredients. You will need fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.

To prepare, add the basil, garlic, and pine nuts to a food processor. Blend these until they are finely chopped.

Next, slowly drizzle in the olive oil while the machine runs. This helps create that smooth texture you want.

Finally, mix in grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Your pesto is now ready to enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Add basil, garlic, and pine nuts to a food processor.
2. Blend until finely chopped.
3. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while blending.
4. Mix in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
5. Enjoy your pesto with pasta or on bread!

2) Spinach Walnut Pesto

Spinach walnut pesto is a fresh twist on traditional pesto. It’s packed with nutrition and flavor, making it a great addition to pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip.

You’ll love how easy it is to prepare. All you need are a few fresh ingredients and a food processor.

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh spinach
• ¼ cup toasted walnuts
• 1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small garlic clove, chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a food processor, combine spinach, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and lemon juice.
2. Pulse until everything is finely chopped.
3. Slowly add olive oil while the processor is running.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

3) Kale and Cashew Pesto

Kale and cashew pesto is a delicious twist on the classic recipe. It combines nutrient-rich kale with creamy cashews for a tasty dip or pasta sauce.

To make this pesto, start by gathering fresh kale and raw cashews. You can also add garlic for extra flavor. Olive oil will help create a smooth texture.

Blend all the ingredients together until you’ve reached your desired consistency.

You can adjust the amount of oil based on how thick or thin you like your pesto.

This pesto is perfect for tossing with pasta or spreading on toast. It’s a quick and healthy option for any meal.

Ingredients

• 3 cups fresh kale, washed and roughly torn
• ½ cup raw cashews
• 2 garlic cloves (or more to taste)
• 1 ¼ cups olive oil (up to 1 ½ cups)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a food processor, combine kale, cashews, and garlic.
2. With the processor running, slowly add in olive oil until smooth.
3. Season with salt to taste.
4. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later use.

4) Rocket (Arugula) and Almond Pesto

Rocket, also known as arugula, brings a peppery flavor to pesto. This version uses toasted almonds for a rich, nutty taste. It’s perfect for pasta dishes or as a spread on sandwiches.

To make this pesto, you can blend fresh rocket leaves with garlic and olive oil. The almonds add texture and flavor, while cheese provides saltiness.

This recipe is quick and easy, making it perfect for busy weeknights. You can even use it as a dip for veggies or a topping for grilled meats.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh rocket leaves (arugula)
• 1/2 cup toasted almonds
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Toast the almonds in a pan over medium heat until golden.
2. In a food processor, combine rocket, almonds, and garlic.
3. Slowly add olive oil while processing until smooth.
4. Stir in Parmesan cheese and salt. Enjoy!

5) Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Sun-dried tomato pesto is a flavorful twist on traditional pesto. It combines the sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes with nuts and cheese for a delicious spread or sauce.

You can use this pesto on pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. It adds a vibrant taste to many dishes.

To make it, just blend sun-dried tomatoes with garlic, nuts like pine nuts or walnuts, olive oil, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese.

You will enjoy its rich flavor and easy preparation.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil)
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup pine nuts or walnuts
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Drain the sun-dried tomatoes.
2. In a food processor, combine sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, nuts, and basil.
3. Pulse until finely chopped.
4. With the processor running, slowly add olive oil until smooth.
5. Add Parmesan cheese and blend until combined.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6) Vegan Avocado Pesto

Vegan avocado pesto is a creamy and delicious alternative to traditional pesto. It’s simple to make and ready in just 15 minutes. You can enjoy it with pasta, on sandwiches, or as a dip.

To make this pesto, you will need ripe avocados, fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, nuts like pine or walnuts, and a little salt. The avocados add creaminess and healthy fats.

Use your food processor to blend all the ingredients together until smooth. Adjust the seasoning to taste. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a gathering with friends.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe avocados
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a food processor, combine avocados, basil, garlic, lemon juice, and nuts.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Season with salt as needed.
4. Serve immediately or store in the fridge.

7) Lemon and Herb Pesto

Lemon and herb pesto is a zesty twist on traditional pesto. The bright flavors of lemon complement fresh herbs like basil or parsley. This makes it a perfect sauce for pasta, sandwiches, or grilled veggies.

To make this pesto, you’ll need simple ingredients that pack a punch. The acidity of the lemon makes the sauce fresh and vibrant. It adds a nice contrast to the richness of olive oil and nuts.

You can customize it by adding different herbs based on your taste. Try mixing in some cilantro or mint for a unique flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil or parsley
• 1/2 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a food processor, combine herbs, lemon juice, nuts, and garlic.
2. Pulse until finely chopped.
3. Slowly add olive oil while blending until smooth.
4. Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.

8) Spicy Red Pepper Pesto

Spicy red pepper pesto adds a kick to your dishes. It combines sweet roasted bell peppers and spicy red pepper flakes for bold flavor. You can use it on pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip.

To make this tasty sauce, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. The mix of pine nuts and Parmesan cheese will give it a rich texture. Blend everything until smooth for the perfect consistency.

Ingredients

• 3 large roasted red bell peppers
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and roast red bell peppers until charred.
2. Let the peppers cool, then remove the skins and seeds.
3. In a blender, combine the roasted peppers, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes.
4. Slowly add olive oil while blending until smooth.
5. Season with salt to taste and enjoy.

9) Mint and Pea Pesto

Mint and pea pesto is a fresh and vibrant twist on traditional pesto. It’s simple to make and full of flavor, perfect for spreading on bread or tossing with pasta. You’ll love how the sweet peas and mint pair together.

To make this pesto, you’ll need fresh or frozen peas, fresh mint leaves, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. The blend creates a creamy and delicious paste that adds a burst of taste to any dish.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups fresh or frozen peas
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 garlic clove
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. If using fresh peas, cook them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Drain and cool.
2. In a food processor, combine the peas, mint, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
3. Pulse until finely chopped.
4. With the processor running, slowly add olive oil until smooth.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

10) Cilantro and Lime Pesto

Cilantro and lime pesto is a fresh twist on traditional pesto. It has vibrant flavors that brighten up any dish.

This pesto works great with tacos, grilled meats, or pasta.

To make this recipe, you will need fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic, nuts like pine nuts or almonds, olive oil, and salt. The lime adds a refreshing kick!

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1-2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup pine nuts or almonds
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and nuts in a blender.
2. Pulse until blended.
3. Slowly add olive oil while blending until smooth.
4. Season with salt to taste.