Snag some basil pesto and get ready to rock it in the kitchen with these easy peasy recipes using pesto. These have been long time reader favorites and I can’t wait for y’all to try them!
Recipes Using Pesto
There are SO MANY uses for pesto and I’m excited to share our favorites today!
Whether you use leftover homemade pesto or snag a jar of store bought pesto, these pesto kissed recipes are the perfect way to use it up!
My all-time favorite store bought brand of pesto is Buitoni. It can be stored in the fridge or even frozen for later and tastes AMAZING!
Looking for a recipe to get you started? Here’s a super easy homemade pesto:
Easy Homemade Pesto Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 TBSP pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Clean and remove stems from basil leaves.
- Combine basil, pine nuts and garlic in a food processor and process until very finely minced.
- Keep the processor running slowly and remove the top insert to slowly drizzle in the oil
- Process until the mixture is smooth.
- Lastly, add the parmesan cheese and process briefly to combine.
- Store in refrigerator or freezer.
1. Three-Cheese Pesto Flatbread Pizza
Alternate title: how to eat an entire 5oz box of spinach for lunch with out making a frickin’ salad. Haha!
This is one of my most popular recipes! Each flatbread features fresh spinach, garlic, pesto, and a trio of melty cheeses. Using store bought pita or naan bread makes this delicious pizza oh-so speedy!
reader review
“I made this pizza for dinner tonight and it was delicious! I can’t believe how easy it was to make and how perfectly the flavors came together. I’ve never commented on a recipe but couldn’t resist commenting on this one!!! Homerun!” – Kathleen
2. Parmesan Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp
Tender strands of squash tossed with spinach, pesto, and parmesan, then topped with the most delicious seasoned shrimp. This is one of my favorite recipes using pesto!
reader review
“Excellent excellent excellent dish & very easy to make. I used jar pesto sauce. I’ve made it twice and just so good. I treated myself to buy more shrimp just to make again. I added some carmalized Vidalia onions to the dish. Made it even better you won’t be disappointed in this dish.” – Christine
3. Pesto Pita Pizza
The personal pizza recipe below features a medley of spinach, mushrooms, tomato with mozzarella and feta cheeses. It’s DIVINE and quite possibly my dream pita pizza combo.
reader review
“I have tried countless recipes from Jenn and they have all been delicious! This exact one gets asked for weekly.” – Nicole
4. Easy Spinach + Pesto Grilled Cheese
This easy cheesy grilled cheese is ready to straight-up rock your socks off! The recipe includes instructions for making it plant-based with vegan cheeze slices but can also be made plain ole vegetarian with your favorite melty cheese. Enjoy!
reader review
“Bit hit. Everyone really loved this for a quick and hot lunch. Could only find a vegan pesto with kale but it likely just added even more flavour. Used vegan mozzarella because that’s what I had. Will make this many times.” – Barb
5. Zucchini Noodles with Pesto Shrimp
Ready for some easy peasy comfort food with a light and creamy twist? These Zucchini Noodles with pesto cream sauce are topped with speedy sautéed shrimp and are SO delicious!
reader review
“Just made this tonight and it was delicious! I did add just a small amount of angel hair pasta and some red pepper flakes. Will be making this again very soon!” – Jennifer
6. Cheesy Pesto Chicken and Veggie Stuffed Squash
This pesto-spiked recipe is one of our favorite ways to eat spaghetti squash! It’s easy, cheesy, and full of flavor.
reader review
“I have made this several times. A winner. I have used several different cheeses and I also use a whole bag of spinach, it wilts. A must try.” – Mary Ann
7. Pesto Veggie Manicotti
This delish recipe has been in our family for ages! There’s almost always a batch in my freezer at all times and my go-to when friends or family need a hearty vegetarian meal. Hopefully you’ll love it as much as we do!
reader review
“I made this last night for dinner. I did add some crumbled Italian sausage to the cheese & veggies. SO GOOD. We have already added it in to our favorite recipes book!!!” – Jaclyn
8. Cheesy Pesto Potato Soup
Creamy potato soup is the ultimate comfort food! This Cheesy Pesto Potato Soup is a lighter twist on the classic with all the bowl-licking flavor of the original!
bff review
“Ugh, put more of this in my face, NOW! Delicious, quick and easy, and super fulfilling.” – Jeannie.
9. Shrimp Pesto Pasta with Spinach and Mushrooms
This Shrimp Pesto Pasta with Spinach and Mushrooms features tender pasta swirled with pesto, veggies, and perfectly sauteed shrimp. Everyone in my family loves this easy, yet impressive, weeknight dinner!
reader review
“Made this last week and got a thumbs up from my husband. Each of us actually had two servings! I was looking for a pesto pasta dish and stumbled upon yours. The recipe is easy to follow… and I can also use the shrimp recipe for a simple sautéd shrimp with salad another day.” – Alice
10. Cheesy Broccoli Kale Pesto Pizza
Grab some fluffy naan or pita bread, (or even some french bread or bagels!) because we’re making some super speedy personal pizzas! Skip the sandwich and serve them up for lunch or dinner alongside a cup of your favorite soup or a leafy green salad.
reader review
“What a great way to get your veggies in this pizza. Perfect for lunch especially with my homemade pesto I just made.” – Ali
11. Creamy Pesto Shrimp Wonton Cups
These pesto shrimp wonton cups are loaded with fresh garlic-kissed shrimp and blanketed in the most luscious pesto cream cheese sauce. I’m completely bonkers over this flavor combo and cannot for the life of me eat just one of these easy cheesy shrimp bites.
reader review
“These are just delicious little party bites!!!” – Claire
more tasty uses for pesto
- Panko Pesto Mozzarella Balls
- Cheesy Cauliflower Soup with Asparagus Pesto
- Pesto Pasta Salad by Kristine’s Kitchen
- Pesto Pasta with Roasted Butternut Squash
If you get a chance to try these tasty recipes using pesto, let me know!
Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
