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Recipes Using Pesto

September 2, 2020 by Jeanette 1 Comment

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Recipes Using Pesto

Enjoy your favorite pesto in these healthy Recipes Using Pesto. Each summer, I grow basil, mint, cilantro and parsley in my container garden. I love making fresh pesto using these herbs and often add leafy greens such as kale and Swiss chard.

Traditional pesto is made with basil; however, I love adding leafy green vegetables to pesto. It all started as a sneaky way to get my boys to eat kale and Swiss chard. However, I soon found it was also a great way to make a big batch of pesto when I didn’t have enough basil.

Kale Mint Basil Pesto - a summer pesto that's healthy and delicious ~ toss with pasta (hot or cold), add a few spoonfuls to potato salad, or use it on sandwiches and pizza

Pine nuts, garlic and Parmesan-Reggiano are also traditionally used in pesto recipes. However, I substitute whatever nuts I have on hand, e.g., hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts, I also use garlic scapes in place of garlic cloves when available. For dairy-free guests, I leave the cheese out of the pesto and serve parmesan cheese on the side.

Summer is coming to an end, so grab as much fresh basil as you can and make a batch of pesto. Pesto can be frozen in small portions, and taken out to stir into different recipes. I usually line a baking sheet with plastic wrap, dollop spoonfuls of pesto on top, and freeze until firm. Once firm, I transfer all the frozen portions of pesto to a freezer-friendly plastic bag, and label it. You can also freeze in an ice cube tray.

Pesto Recipes:

Kale Mint Basil Pesto

Kale Mint Basil Pesto - a summer pesto that's healthy and delicious ~ toss with pasta (hot or cold), add a few spoonfuls to potato salad, or use it on sandwiches and pizza

Kale Basil Hazelnut Pesto

Kale Basil Hazelnut Pesto © Jeanette's Healthy Living

Kale Basil Mint Parsley Pesto

Kale Basil Mint Parsley Pesto © Jeanette's Healthy Living

Kale Basil Garlic Scape Pistachio Pesto

Kale Garlic Scape Basil Pesto © Jeanette's Healthy Living

Garlic Scape Cilantro Swiss Chard Pesto

Garlic Scape, Cilantro, Swiss Chard Pesto

14 RECIPES USING PESTO:

Pesto is a versatile condiment that can be stirred into almost any pasta dish. However, there are so many other uses. I’ve put together this collection of recipes using pesto that I’ve made over the years. Feel free to substitute your favorite pesto in any of these recipes.

Clams With Pesto (serve with crusty bread or over pasta)

(Stir pesto into this White Clam Sauce recipe)

Clams with Pesto

Sourdough Pizza

  (with fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and pesto)

Pizza made with sourdough "discard" - wonderfully crispy crust and a great way to use sourdough "discard" - don't waste!

Cool Noodles with Pesto and Sweet Spicy Soy Sesame Dressing

Cool Soba Noodles with Sweet Spicy Soy Sesame Sauce © Jeanette's Healthy Living

Stuffed Peppers with Quinoa, Grilled Vegetables and Pesto Sauce

Stuffed Pepper with Quinoa, Grilled Vegetables, Caprese Salad and Pesto

Pasta with Pesto, Fresh Tomatoes, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Chicken and Mozzarella Cheese

Pasta with Chicken, Pesto, Fresh and Sun Dried Tomatoes Mozzarella Cheese

Grilled Chili Garlic Shrimp with Pesto Pasta

Easy Grilled Garlic Chili Shrimp with Pasta and Pesto © Jeanette's Healthy Living

Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad

Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad - simple, fresh and healthy pasta salad, perfect for barbecues an picnics

Grilled Asparagus with Mint Feta Pesto 

Grilled Asparagus with Mint Feta Pesto - a delicious and easy way to dress up asparagus this summer

Tomato Corn Potato Sausage Pesto Frittata

Tomato Corn Potato Sausage Pesto Frittata - this is perfect for breakfast or brunch ~ full of summer produce, this frittata is healthy and delicious

Corn Asparagus Pesto Frittata

Corn Asparagus Pesto Frittata © Jeanette's Healthy Living

Fresh Tomato Burrata Pesto Dip

Easy Fresh Tomato Burrata Cheese Pesto Dip © Jeanette's Healthy Living

Farmer’s Market Sandwich

Farmer's Market Sandwich

 Ahi Tuna Spinach Avocado Pesto Sandwich

Fresh Tuna Spinach Avocado Sandwich © Jeanette's Healthy Living

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Pesto

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Kale Artichoke Pumpkin Seed Pesto © Jeanette's Healthy Living

More Ways To Use Pesto:

  • Toss pesto with Pasta, Grilled Chicken and Steamed Broccoli

  • Stir pesto into your favorite pasta sauce or this easy Tomato Paste Pasta Sauce
  • Spread pesto on Grilled Chicken Breast, top with fresh Mozzarella Cheese and bake until cheese is melted
  • Spread pesto on fresh Fish filets and bake
  • Stir into Tomato Soup or White Bean Soup

Creamless Cream of Tomato Soup

  • Make a Pesto Vinaigrette to drizzle over your favorite salad
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Filed Under: farmer's market, Summer Recipes Tagged With: pesto

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Comments

  1. angiesrecipes says

    September 2, 2020 at 4:06 am

    I seriously could eat anything everything with pesto! My absolute favourite sauce! The clams with pesto looks really good.

    Reply

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