24 pesto sauce recipes to spice up your dishes and fall in love

When you talk about pesto, you think it’s a basil-based sauce, right? Well, it is – and it isn’t either.

Pesto is actually a technique. To pester means to knead with a pestle. And, although the authentic recipe is with basil leaves, olive oil and spices, it is possible to go much further when it comes to flavor.

How about a broccoli, arugula or even olive pesto? In this post you learn all that and more. In addition, we separate some recipes that go perfectly with the sauces. It’s time to go to the kitchen!

pesto sauce recipes

1. Classic pesto sauce: basil, olive oil, grated parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper are the ingredients needed to prepare this flavorful sauce, a great addition to pasta and chicken.

2. Sun-dried tomato pesto sauce: whether to mix with sour cream and serve with pasta, or to spread on bread, this sun-dried tomato pesto is irresistible. The best part is that the sauce can be stored in the fridge, covered with a layer of olive oil.

3. Broccoli Pesto Sauce: How can you not love recipes that are zero waste? Here, the idea is to use the whole broccoli plant, including the stalks. The sauce is great in salads and sandwich fillings and can be served either cold or hot.

4. Zucchini pesto sauce: a light and delicate cream to accompany your recipes. Did your mouth water? Here the process is vapt vupt, just hit the blender some basil leaves, almonds, pine nuts and grated zucchinis.

5. Detox pesto sauce: in addition to being delicious, this sauce here has nutrients that help in the detox process. For a light dinner, pair the pesto with gluten-free pasta or chicken breast.

6. Arugula pesto with basil: the combination of flavors in this sauce is one of those that were born to work, you know? And it’s impossible not to love the practicality of a sauce that doesn’t even need to go to the fire.

7. Pea pesto sauce: in this version you already need a little cooking, but it’s still super easy. Dried peas, previously washed, must be mixed with water, salt, rosemary and bay leaf. Cook and then blend in a blender. Hmmmmm!

8. Cabbage pesto sauce: in addition to green cabbage stalks, walnuts and garlic, the ingredient list here includes pecorino cheese. If you can’t find it in your city, it’s worth replacing it with the traditional grated parmesan.

9. Avocado Pesto Sauce: In addition to the avocado base, this vegan recipe takes two cloves of garlic, half a cup of walnuts, a spoon of salt, fifteen leaves of fresh basil, lemon juice and olive oil. Just hit the processor and enjoy.

10. Pesto Sauce with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Olives: This little mix of various ingredients results in a quick-to-make sauce that tastes like real food. You need basil, olive oil, chestnuts, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, garlic, olives and two special touches: rose petals and mint!

11. Peppermint pesto sauce: to accompany green leaves, pork, lamb and even that everyday chicken, a refreshing option that is easy to make. How about giving mint a chance? Allow yourself!

12. Spinach pesto sauce: what pesto is quick to make you already know. Now what you need is to try this version made with a bunch of spinach. What’s more, this sauce can be stored for a month in the freezer.

Recipes with pesto sauce

13. Lasagna with pesto sauce: lasagna noodles, buffalo mozzarella, parmesan, olive oil, walnuts, basil and garlic. That’s right: with just a few ingredients you can prepare a mouth-watering lasagna.

14. Fusilli with bacon pesto sauce: if the famous screw pasta with a basil-based sauce is already great, imagine with a lot of bacon? The recipe pairs perfectly with a good Premium American Lager style beer.

15. Chester with sage and butter pesto: who said chester can only be eaten at Christmas? The secret to making it even more special is to prepare a sage and butter pesto to spread over the bird’s skin. Then just bake.

16. Pesto pizza: chicken or pepperoni pizza is delicious, but it’s time to innovate. This pesto pizza recipe is healthy, very tasty and takes few ingredients. The special touch is the buffalo mozzarella slices.

17. Farfalle with pesto: great idea for a Sunday lunch. To prepare, you only need the pasta (farfalle), salt, olive oil, pesto and grated Parmesan. Try it with any of the sauces from the list above!

18. Pesto pasta with shrimp: prepared for this pasta that is to be scraped off the plate? Pesto is quick to make – you don’t even need a pan. Shrimp are ready in the blink of an eye. On two sticks everyone can go to the table.

19. Caprese sandwich with pesto sauce: sandwich doesn’t have to be just mortadella or ham and cheese. This one is with roasted tomatoes, cheese (it can be mozzarella, Minas or other of your preference), basil and a pesto mayonnaise that is sure to be a hit.

20. Caprese pasta with pesto sauce: you know the traditional caprese salad, prepared with tomato, cheese and basil? Here it is combined with a delicious pasta and a little pesto sauce, which enhances the flavor even more. Simple and mouth watering idea.

21. Spaghetti of peach palm with pesto sauce: this dish is prepared with pupunha in strands bought ready-made. You can also unravel the hearts of palm yourself, pulling the strands lengthwise. To give a final touch to the recipe, put toasted pine nuts on top.

22. Omelet with pesto sauce: how about preparing a “pestolete”? The pesto omelet mix is ​​great for times of rush. Few ingredients are needed, such as eggs, pesto sauce, cheese, butter, salt and pepper. It’s worth adding to whatever else you have in the fridge.

23. Tagliatelle with Spinach Pesto: Are you the type who likes to invent when cooking? Then you will like this idea here. The pesto sauce is made with spinach and, in place of the pine nuts, it uses sunflower seeds and almonds. A treat!

24. Penne salad with pesto sauce: a complete meal in less than 30 minutes? Yes, it’s more than possible. Macaroni salad is one such case. So simple and yummy! It can be made with whole or gluten-free penne, your choice.

See how quick it is to prepare pesto sauce? It’s worth experimenting with your own versions, such as different vegetables, seeds, and spices. The more creativity, the better!