12 Delicious Recipes Featuring Pesto

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Hello from Mexico City! I’m on a much-needed post-cookbook vacation, eating many tacos and drinking many margaritas. You can probably catch a glimpse of the trip on Instagram stories—we’re cookieandkate.

Since I shared my classic basil pesto recipe earlier this week, I thought I’d share a collection of my favorite recipes that include pesto today, in some form or another. I love to make unconventional pestos with arugula, kale, cilantro and parsley. Sometimes I even throw in an avocado to make them creamy. They’re a great way to incorporate fresh greens in regular meals.

You can view all of my pesto recipes here. You can also find a few of my favorite herb/nut combinations in my cookbook. I included my basic pesto recipe on the cut-out cheat sheet, so you can tape it to the inside of your cabinet for easy reference! Learn more and get your copy right here.

1) Pesto Squash Noodles and Spaghetti with Burst Cherry Tomatoes

“This recipe is divine! I’m a newlywed looking for easy, but delicious recipes and this was exactly it; my husband loved it! Plus I just planted basil…making a perfect excuse to make this all the time!” – Grace

2) Kale Pesto Pizza

“I made this for dinner last night – it was SO delicious and my whole family loved it! It was my first time making a pizza myself, and was very easy. I can’t wait for lunch today to eat the leftovers :)” – Halley

3) Basil Pesto Vinaigrette

“This was very good! I will be making a lot more of this in the future since my basil plants are going crazy with all the rain, and now heat, that we’ve had in St. Louis. Thanks, Kate!” – Jayme

4) Super Kale Pesto

“This recipe ROCKED! I used walnuts and olive oil because it’s what I had on-hand and I even used leftovers as part of a bruschetta.” – Stephanie

5) Basil Pesto Party Almonds

“Have made these for a few parties and always get the “Whoa!” I substituted the red pepper flakes with a smoky Ethiopian spice called berbere. You are my go to page for my friends who want to try “meat free” living. I tell them – this isn’t diet food. It’s just really good recipes!” – Julie

6) Mediterranean Spaghetti Squash Bowls

“I’ve made this twice in the last month. Obsessed is an understatement. Love your recipes!!” – Katherine

7) Heather’s Zucchini Noodles with Basil-Pumpkin Seed Pesto

“I absolutely ADORE this recipe. Even my husband the staunch meat eater was loving it. THANK YOU!” – Lindsay

8) Summertime Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Corn and Jalapeño Pesto

“Just devoured this for lunch! So good! My toddler loved it too, so I’m sure we will be making this many times this summer. Thanks!” – Sarika

9) Arugula-Almond Pesto Pizza

“I made a batch of this pesto and cooked one pizza at the beginning and a second at the end of the week. I pit different toppings on it, and both times was told it was the best pizza
I’ve made in a long time! Very yummy, thank you!” – Margo

10) Cilantro-Pepita Pesto with Squash Ribbons and Fettuccine

“I’ve decided to try to get my family to eat healthier food, so I set out to find a few recipes online that I thought they might enjoy. This was number one on my list. I made it last night and everyone loved it!!! My teenagers were a bit reluctant to try it, but after they finally took a bite they were pleasantly surprised. In fact, those were the exact words my said used… Pleasantly surprised. Fantastic recipe! Thank you for sharing! Tonight I’m going to try your Roasted Red Pepper And Tomato Soup.” – Diane

11) Avocado Pesto Toast

“I wish I could attach a photo of how beautiful this came out. This breakfast is delicious! It’s easy to make, and the different flavors are incredible. I may never make pesto other than like this again! Even my insanely picky husband (who has never eaten an over easy egg in his life) loved It!” – Meghan

12) Simple Greek Avocado Sandwich

“This is soooo good. One of the best sandwiches I’ve made at home and I don’t even notice the lack of meat. Thanks for the inspo!” – Bianca

More resources you might appreciate: 13 healthy make-ahead breakfast recipes, 16 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You might also like my monthly seasonal produce guides and healthy kitchen essentials. View all roundups and resource posts here.