Pesto Perfect
Embrace the versatility of pesto with these 20 fresh and easy ideas. Any of these ideas can work with your choice of Barilla® Traditional Basil Pesto or Barilla® Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto.1. Veggie Dip
Red Pesto Hummus with VeggiesStir a little pesto into your favorite purchased hummus. Serve with veggie dippers.
2. Salad Dressing
Pesto VinaigretteStir a spoonful or two of pesto into your favorite vinaigrette salad dressing. Serve over fresh mixed greens.
3. Pizza Sauce Swap
Chicken Pesto PizzaTop pizza crust with pesto, shredded chicken, artichoke hearts, and shredded mozzarella cheese; bake.
4. Sandwich Spread
PBLT
On your BLT, spread a little pesto in place of traditional mayonnaise.
5. Garlic Bread Spread
Pesto Garlic Bread
Combine melted butter, garlic powder, and pesto; spread mixture on sliced French bread, wrap in aluminum foil and bake.
6. Herby Marinade
Chicken Pesto Kebobs
Brush chicken and vegetable kebabs with pesto during grilling. Serve with additional pesto for dipping.
7. French Fry Dipper
Sweet Potato Fries with Pesto Aioli
Prepare frozen sweet potato fries according to package instructions. Stir together equal parts mayonnaise and pesto until smooth; serve with fries.
8. Secret Sauce
Burgers with Pesto and Arugula
Spread toasted burger buns with pesto and mayonnaise. Top hamburgers with fresh arugula, vegetables, and cheese.
9. Chicken Crisper
Crispy Pesto Chicken
Brush chicken breasts with pesto and top with shredded mozzarella cheese and panko bread crumbs; bake.
10. Mac & Cheese Stir-In
Pesto Mac & Cheese
Dress up macaroni and cheese by stirring in a spoonful of pesto. For best results, use white cheddar mac and cheese.
11. Easy Veggie Sauce
Grilled Veggies with Pesto
For instant flavor, toss pesto with grilled vegetables such as zucchini, summer squash, asparagus, and/or green beans.
12. With Breakfast
Pesto & Eggs
Drizzle soft-scrambled eggs with pesto and chopped fresh herbs such as basil and parsley. Serve with toast.
13. Burger Mix-In
Pesto-Perfect Turkey Burgers
Combine ground turkey with a few spoonfuls of pesto and bread crumbs. Form into patties and grill to desired doneness.
14. Hearty Bowl Filler
Mediterranean Orzo Bowl
Toss cooked, chilled orzo, rice or quinoa with pesto. Stir in halved cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumber, chickpeas, and chopped fresh mint. Top with crumbled feta.
15. Fresh Pasta Sauce
Pesto with Angel Hair and Shrimp
Toss cooked angel hair pasta with pesto and sautéed shrimp.
16. Salad Refresher
Pesto Potato Salad
Make purchased potato salad your own. Before serving, stir a spoonful or two of pesto into your favorite purchased potato salad or your best potato salad recipe.
17. Butter Blend
Pesto Corn on the Cob
Combine softened butter with pesto and fresh herbs. Spread over corn on the cob before grilling. Serve with additional pesto-butter mixture.
18. Fresh Fish
Pesto en Papillote
Top any white fish or salmon with pesto and place in parchment paper. Add any quick-cooking vegetables, such as summer squash or mushrooms, and bake in the oven until fish is done.
19. Crouton Seasoner
Pesto Croutons
Toss sourdough bread cubes with pesto and shredded Parmesan cheese. Bake on a parchment-lined baking pan until crisp and browned.
20. Bake into Bread
Pesto-Scented Corn Bread
Stir pesto into packaged corn bread, whole wheat, or bread roll mix. Continue to prepare and bake according to package directions.