20 Savory Recipes That Use Pesto

This indulgent, over-the-top garlic bread is what dreams are made of. Start by making a batch of our homemade pesto, then slice Italian bread and spread the pesto between the slices and stuff with a combination of mozzarella and Taleggio.

Our hearty soup starts with mixing together ground turkey, homemade pesto, panko breadcrumbs, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. The meatballs are gently cooked in chicken broth along with garlic, escarole, and basil. It's just the dinner you need on a cold winter's night.

Turn a pesto into a delicious, easy dip that you can serve alongside pita or crudités. All you need are three ingredients—pesto, mayonnaise, and sour cream.

Here's an unexpected use for lasagna noodles. Instead of the usual cheesy layered casserole, we used them in a delightful springtime pasta dish with a pea-based pesto that also includes basil, pine nuts, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Sure, pasta and pesto are a fabulous combination, but here we kicked it up a notch with an aromatic pesto made from cilantro instead of the usual basil and toasted almonds in place of pine nuts.

Fresh mint leaves and pistachios are used to create this aromatic pesto that complements springtime asparagus and juicy cherry tomatoes. It's a delicious, family-friendly dinner that will instantly brighten your weeknight.

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are flavorful on their own, but they are even tastier when tossed with sundried-tomato pesto, then seared in a cast-iron skillet until they're super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

A combination of curly spinach leaves, fresh basil leaves, and thawed frozen peas are used to create a delicious pesto for this 35-minute pasta recipe.

Everyone will love the unique combination of pistachios, fennel, and lemon in this pesto, which accompanies panko-breaded salmon. Bonus: You can make the pesto up to one week in advance, so you have it on hand whenever inspiration strikes.

We're all for upgrading basic store-bought ingredients in new and inspiring ways, and that's just what we've done here. In just 20 minutes, orzo, shredded pre-cooked chicken, prepared pesto, and basic chicken stock result in a delicious soup.

Whip up a quick pesto made with bitter broccoli rabe and walnuts, then toss with pasta and sautéed sliced salami—go for something spicy like soppressata!

Think that vegetable noodles are boring and bland? Think again. Vibrant red beets are roasted, rather than sautéed, then mixed with our homemade parsley pesto and lots of freshly grated cheese.

This chickpea flour pancake which originated in Liguria, a region in northwestern Italy, serves as the base for super pungent ramps—and a homemade ramp pesto.

Although lamb is traditionally served with mint jelly, we think a ramp pesto complements the gamey meat especially well in the spring. The lamb is served with roasted asparagus and spring onions for a special occasion meal.

Upgrade deviled eggs by adding a dollop of ramp pesto on top of each. This is the perfect appetizer for Easter, Mother's Day, or any other spring soirée.

What makes this pesto Sicilian? It's as simple as adding roasted red bell peppers, anchovies, capers, golden raisins, blanched almonds, Parmesan cheese, and plenty of extra-virgin olive oil.

While avocado toast has been all the rage for years now, we're just as fond of this pesto spread made with shelled green peas and basil that we smear atop crusty bread. Top with soft-boiled eggs for a hearty, protein-packed vegetarian meal.

Peppery arugula and blanched, toasted almonds shine in this pesto recipe, which we toss with penne pasta. It's a simple but inspired take on the classic sauce.

A pungent pesto made with mint, almonds, and capers is paired with roasted salmon for a spectacular entrée that's served with roasted shallots, scallions, and leeks.