A jar of pesto is one of the best shortcuts to a flavor-packed meal. That vibrant basil, garlic, and parmesan hit works on pasta, chicken, fish, pizza, and sandwiches alike.
This collection gathers the tastiest ways to use pesto, most of them quick enough for a weeknight. Each one links straight through to the full recipe.
Three Pesto Recipes to Start With
- Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta: a restaurant-style dinner in just 25 minutes.
- Cheesy Pesto Baked Chicken: an easy, hands-off dinner that always impresses.
- Pesto Pizza with Feta Crust: a fun twist that makes pizza night special.
Why You Will Love These Pesto Recipes
- Pesto adds instant, big basil flavor with no extra effort.
- It works across pasta, chicken, fish, pizza, bread, and sandwiches.
- Most of these are quick enough for a busy weeknight.
- Shop-bought or homemade pesto both work beautifully.
The Pesto Recipes
1. Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
Creamy chicken pesto pasta that tastes like a restaurant dish but comes together in 25 minutes. The vibrant basil sauce clings to every strand. A reliable, speedy crowd-pleaser.
Key ingredients: penne or any short pasta, boneless skinless chicken breast, thickened cream or heavy cream, chicken stock cube crumbled, frozen peas, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
💡 Cook’s tip: thickened cream or heavy cream. Avoid low-fat versions because they may split.
Total time: 25 min | Serves: 4 | Ingredients: 9
2. Pesto Rigatoni Pasta Bake with Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Rigatoni baked with pesto and creamy ricotta until golden and bubbling. The aroma alone tells you it is going to be good. A cozy, satisfying bake for the whole family.
Key ingredients: rigatoni pasta, fresh basil pesto, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic
Total time: 45 min | Serves: 6 | Ingredients: 11
3. Pasta with Sun Dried Tomato Ricotta Pesto Recipe
A quick pasta tossed in a rich sun-dried tomato and ricotta pesto, ready in just 20 minutes. It is creamy, tangy, and full of flavor. A brilliant pantry-friendly dinner.
Key ingredients: pasta rigatoni, pancetta diced, olive oil extra-virgin for best taste, pine nuts lightly toasted, fresh thyme for garnish, sun-dried tomato ricotta pesto
Total time: 20 min | Serves: 2 | Ingredients: 16
4. Pesto Chicken Stuffed Shells Recipe
Jumbo shells stuffed with pesto chicken and plenty of cheese, then baked until warm and gooey. Every bite is packed with flavor. A comforting dish that feeds a crowd.
Key ingredients: box 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells, cooked shredded chicken breast, shredded mozzarella cheese divided, marinara sauce, freshly chopped parsley optional
💡 Cook’s tip: box 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells. These big shells are perfect for stuffing and hold the filling nicely.
Total time: 60 min | Serves: 6 | Ingredients: 7
5. Christmas Pesto Pasta Recipe
A festive red-and-green pesto pasta that is perfect for a busy holiday evening. It is quick, cheerful, and genuinely delicious. On the table in 25 minutes.
Key ingredients: pasta such as farfalle or penne, fresh basil pesto, cherry tomatoes halved, frozen peas, grated parmesan cheese, garlic minced
Total time: 25 min | Serves: 4 | Ingredients: 8
6. Cheesy Pesto Baked Chicken Recipe
Juicy baked chicken smothered in pesto and melted cheese, creamy and full of flavor. It is an easy, hands-off dinner that always impresses. Serve with pasta or a crisp salad.
Key ingredients: boneless skinless chicken breasts, cream cheese softened, basil pesto store-bought or homemade, shredded mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes halved, fresh basil leaves chopped
💡 Cook’s tip: boneless skinless chicken breasts. Choose pieces of relatively even thickness for uniform cooking.
Total time: 55 min | Serves: 4 | Ingredients: 6
7. Creamy Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Tender chicken in a creamy pesto sauce with sweet roasted tomatoes, ready in 30 minutes. The flavors are bright and comforting at once. A regular dinner favorite in the making.
Key ingredients: chicken breasts, garlic powder, paprika, grape tomatoes, onion chopped, garlic minced
💡 Cook’s tip: chicken breasts. Choose fresh boneless, skinless pieces for even cooking.
Total time: 30 min | Ingredients: 12
8. Pesto Bruschetta Chicken Recipe
Pesto chicken topped with fresh tomato bruschetta, a light and vibrant dinner in just 15 minutes. It is fresh, fast, and full of summer flavor. Perfect for a quick weeknight.
Key ingredients: garlic minced, kosher salt more to taste, olive oil more if needed, salt and pepper to taste, boneless skinless chicken breasts, mozzarella cheese
💡 Cook’s tip: grape tomatoes quartered. I always pick ripe, firm tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
Total time: 15 min | Ingredients: 10
9. Pesto Chicken with Peppers Recipe
A long-time favorite of fresh pesto, juicy chicken, and sweet peppers. The aroma fills the kitchen every time. Simple, savory, and ready in about 30 minutes.
Key ingredients: linguine, boneless skinless chicken breast, red bell pepper sliced, green bell pepper sliced, red onion sliced, basil pesto
💡 Cook’s tip: linguine. I prefer fresh pasta but dried works fine; it cooks evenly and absorbs pesto beautifully.
Total time: 30 min | Ingredients: 9
10. Pesto Salmon Recipe
Flaky salmon with a simple pesto topping, ready in under 20 minutes. It is proof that minimal effort can deliver maximum flavor. A healthy, elegant weeknight dinner.
Key ingredients: salmon, parmesan cheese
Total time: 17 min | Ingredients: 3
11. Pesto Pizza With Feta Stuffed Crust Recipe
A game-changing pesto pizza with a feta-stuffed crust that makes pizza night special. The first bite is pure joy. Fun to make and even better to eat.
Key ingredients: basil pesto homemade or store‑bought, crumbled feta cheese, shredded whole milk mozzarella, shredded fontina cheese, grated parmesan or asiago, fresh basil chopped
💡 Cook’s tip: pizza dough homemade or store‑bought. Choose fresh dough for the best light and chewy crust.
Total time: 30 min | Serves: 8 | Ingredients: 14
12. Cheesy Pesto Garlic Bread Recipe
Soft garlic bread loaded with gooey mozzarella and fresh basil pesto. It is the ultimate side for any pasta dinner. Dangerously easy to devour on its own.
Key ingredients: fresh basil 60g/2oz total, pine nuts optionally toasted, / 40g freshly grated parmesan, garlic, salt or to taste, black pepper or to taste
💡 Cook’s tip: fresh basil 60g/2oz total. Use fresh basil for a vibrant flavor; frozen basil doesn’t have the same aroma.
Total time: 35 min | Ingredients: 9
13. Pesto Pinwheels with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe
Flaky pesto and sun-dried tomato pinwheels, an effortless appetizer that always disappears. They are simple to make and look impressive on a platter. Great for parties and gatherings.
Key ingredients: sheet of puff pastry, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes in oil chopped
Total time: 35 min | Serves: 5 | Ingredients: 5
14. Chicken Pesto Ciabatta Recipe
A warm chicken pesto ciabatta sandwich with melty cheese and bright basil flavor. It comes together in 30 minutes and tastes far better than takeout. A satisfying lunch or light dinner.
Key ingredients: boneless skinless chicken breasts, garlic powder, ciabatta rolls, fresh mozzarella, basil pesto, tomato sliced
💡 Cook’s tip: boneless skinless chicken breasts. I like full-sized pieces sliced in half horizontally so they cook faster and more evenly.
Total time: 30 min | Serves: 4 | Ingredients: 10
15. Pesto Chicken Sandwich on Sourdough Recipe
Juicy seasoned chicken and pesto layered on toasted sourdough, a sandwich worth slowing down for. The flavor combination is hard to beat. Perfect for a weekend lunch.
Key ingredients: medium-sized skinless chicken breasts, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, fresh lemon juice optional, fresh mozzarella balls sliced
💡 Cook’s tip: medium-sized skinless chicken breasts. Fresh chicken ensures juicy and tender meat.
Total time: 35 min | Serves: 3 | Ingredients: 13
16. Sun Dried Tomato Bacon Pesto Grilled Cheese Recipe
A loaded grilled cheese with crispy bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, and rich pesto. It is a game-changer for the humble toastie. Comfort food at its finest.
Key ingredients: quality bread, pesto, cooked bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, shredded medium white cheddar cheese
💡 Cook’s tip: quality bread. I used sourdough for its sturdy texture and tangy flavor.
Total time: 18 min | Serves: 2 | Ingredients: 6
17. Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Pesto Recipe
A bright, savory grilled chicken sandwich lifted by a generous spread of pesto. It feels like a restaurant lunch made at home. Serve with fries or a salad.
Key ingredients: skinless boneless chicken breasts, salt., black pepper., garlic smashed., lemon zest., juice of ½ lemon.
Total time: 45 min | Serves: 4 | Ingredients: 24
18. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Burrata and Pesto Recipe
Roasted sweet potatoes stuffed with creamy burrata and fresh pesto, a dish that smells incredible. It is a wholesome, satisfying vegetarian meal. Comfort and freshness in one plate.
Key ingredients: sweet potatoes, salt and black pepper, garlic powder, balls of burrata cheese, sage pesto, toasted walnuts chopped
💡 Cook’s tip: sweet potatoes. Choose ones that are firm and have smooth skin. They provide the sweet earthy base for our toppings.
Total time: 40 min | Serves: 4 | Ingredients: 10
Keep a jar of pesto in the fridge and a great meal is always within reach. Stir it through pasta, spoon it over chicken, or spread it on bread for an instant upgrade.
Homemade pesto freezes well in ice cube trays, so you can have a hit of fresh basil any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I make with a jar of pesto?
Plenty. Toss it through pasta, spoon it over baked chicken or salmon, spread it on sandwiches and pizza, stir it into soups, or use it as a dip. This list covers all of those and more.
Can I use shop-bought pesto?
Yes, and it is what makes these recipes so quick. A good jarred pesto works in every dish here. For the brightest flavor, stir in a little extra fresh basil or lemon.
How do I store leftover pesto?
Keep it in the fridge with a thin layer of olive oil on top to stop it browning, and use within about a week. It also freezes well in ice cube trays for single portions.
Is pesto always vegetarian?
Traditional basil pesto contains parmesan, which is often made with animal rennet, so it is not always strictly vegetarian. Look for a vegetarian-labelled cheese or pesto if that matters to you.