Skip to content

Top Navigation

Allrecipes Allrecipes
Log In Account Details

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Help this link opens in a new tab

More

  • Shopping List
  • Ask the Community this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • My Profile
  • Saved Items & Collections
  • Help this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Shopping List
  • Ask the Community this link opens in a new tab
Login
Get Allrecipes Magazine
Pin FB

Explore Allrecipes

Allrecipes Allrecipes
  • Find a Recipe

    Find a Recipe

    Include these ingredients
    Filter by including Ingredients
    Do not include these ingredients
    Filter by excluding Ingredients
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 30 Strawberry-Rhubarb Recipes to Make With Fresh Fruit

      30 Strawberry-Rhubarb Recipes to Make With Fresh Fruit

      Read More
    • How To Pick the Best Corn So Every Ear Is a Winner

      How To Pick the Best Corn So Every Ear Is a Winner

      Find the best of the best at your local grocery store or farmers' market. Read More
    • 16 Juicy and Refreshing Mango Salad Recipes

      16 Juicy and Refreshing Mango Salad Recipes

      The best fresh salads offer a variety of ingredients, textures, and flavors. Which is why a bare-bones salad is just an opportunity to get creative by adding an ingredient or two with lots of appeal. May we suggest making room for mango? A little mango makes an otherwise boring salad instantly appealing! The sweet, juicy goodness and exciting texture of mango will set your salads apart from the average lettuce mixtures. Scroll through these creative mango salad recipes and never eat an unappealing salad again.  Read More
  • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

    Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

    See All Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    10 Healthy Breakfast Casserole Recipes

    10 Healthy Breakfast Casserole Recipes

    • Breakfast Burrito Recipes
    • Breakfast Casserole Recipes
    • Crepe Recipes
    • Egg Recipes
    • French Toast Recipes
    • Frittata Recipes
    • Granola Recipes
    • Omelet Recipes
    • Overnight Oat Recipes
    • Pancake Recipes
    • Quiche Recipes
    • Waffle Recipes
  • Lunch Recipes

    Lunch Recipes

    See All Lunch Recipes
    10 Turkey Sandwich Recipes to Upgrade Your Lunch

    10 Turkey Sandwich Recipes to Upgrade Your Lunch

    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Sandwich Recipes
    • Sandwich Wraps and Roll-Up Recipes
    • School Lunch Ideas and Recipes
  • Dinner Recipes

    Dinner Recipes

    See All Dinner Recipes
    8 Pizza Casserole Recipes for Fun Weeknight Dinners

    8 Pizza Casserole Recipes for Fun Weeknight Dinners

    Pizza casserole may not be the most elaborate dish, but it brings dinnertime joy to both children and adults. The kid-friendly meal is a great option for busy weeknights because, once the pasta's boiled, all the ingredients combine in a single baking dish. Pizza casserole is a flavorful way to utilize staple ingredients, especially the boxed pasta, jarred sauce, and frozen vegetables taking up space in your pantry and freezer. Save these pizza casserole recipes for the next time you need a simple, crowd-pleasing dinner.
    • Dinner Fix
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Chicken Breasts
    • Chicken Thigh Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Ground Beef Recipes
    • Pasta and Noodle Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Pork Tenderloin Recipes
    • Turkey Recipes
    • Ground Turkey Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Salmon Recipes
    • Shrimp Recipes
  • Appetizer & Snack Recipes

    Appetizer & Snack Recipes

    See All Appetizer & Snack Recipes
    The Best Indian Street Food Snacks, Appetizers, and Small Bites

    The Best Indian Street Food Snacks, Appetizers, and Small Bites

    India is home to 1.3 billion people. It's one of the most diverse countries on the planet, with each region and subculture having its own must-try dishes. India is a real paradise for food lovers, including street food fanatics! Check out our collection of Indian street food recipes, appetizers, and sharable bites, from samosas to pakoras to sweets like kulfi and gulab jamun. 
    • Baked Brie Recipes
    • Bruschetta Recipes
    • Chicken Wing Recipes
    • Crab Cake Recipes
    • Deviled Egg Recipes
    • Fruit Dip Recipes
    • Guacamole Recipes
    • Hummus Recipes
    • Jalapeno Popper Recipes
    • Meatball Appetizers
    • Nacho Recipes
    • Salsa Recipes
    • Stuffed Mushroom Recipes
  • Bread Recipes

    Bread Recipes

    See All Bread Recipes
    18 Strawberry Bread Recipes With Lots of Color and Fruity Flavor

    18 Strawberry Bread Recipes With Lots of Color and Fruity Flavor

    Looking for a delicious way to bake with fresh or frozen strawberries? Your search ends here. Strawberries add fruity flavor and vibrant color to these breads and muffins. Whether you're looking for a basic loaf to make with just a few pantry staples, a decadent idea with a cream cheese filling, or an old-fashioned family recipe that'll please everyone at your table, you'll find mouthwatering inspiration in this collection of strawberry bread recipes. 
    • Banana Bread Recipes
    • Biscuit Recipes
    • Bread Machine Recipes
    • Cornbread Recipes
    • Doughnut Recipes
    • Muffin Recipes
    • Pumpkin Bread Recipes
    • Quick Bread Recipes
    • Sourdough Bread Recipes
    • Yeast Bread Recipes
    • Zucchini Bread Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes

    Dessert Recipes

    See All Dessert Recipes
    How To Store Lemons and Keep Them Fresh for Up to One Month

    How To Store Lemons and Keep Them Fresh for Up to One Month

    When life gives you lemons, give your lemons some life.
    • Baking Tips and Techniques
    • Cake Recipes
    • Carrot Cake Recipes
    • Cheesecake Recipes
    • Chocolate Cake Recipes
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Cupcake Recipes
    • Frosting and Icing Recipes
    • Ice Cream Recipes
    • Peach Cobbler Recipes
    • Pie Recipes
    • Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipes
    • Pound Cake Recipes
    • Sugar-Free Dessert Recipes
    • Sweet Spot
  • Drink Recipes

    Drink Recipes

    See All Drink Recipes
    10 Jalapeño Drinks to Spice Up Your Next Party

    10 Jalapeño Drinks to Spice Up Your Next Party

    • Bloody Mary Recipes
    • Cocktail Recipes
    • Coffee Drink Recipes
    • Jell-o Shot Recipes
    • Margarita Recipes
    • Martini Recipes
    • Punch Recipes
    • Sangria Recipes
    • Smoothie Recipes
    • Cocktail Tips and Techniques
  • Main Dishes

    Main Dishes

    See All Main Dishes
    Our 51 Best Boneless Chicken Thigh Recipes

    Our 51 Best Boneless Chicken Thigh Recipes

    • Beef Stroganoff Recipes
    • Casserole Recipes
    • Enchilada Recipes
    • Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
    • Pork Chop Recipes
    • Shepherd's Pie Recipes
    • Shrimp Scampi Recipes
  • Salad Recipes

    Salad Recipes

    See All Salad Recipes
    How to Make Caesar Salad From Scratch

    How to Make Caesar Salad From Scratch

    Put down that bottle of store-bought Caesar dressing. You won’t be needing it.
    • Chicken Salad Recipes
    • Coleslaw Recipes
    • Cucumber Salad Recipes
    • Egg Salad Recipes
    • Fruit Salad Recipes
    • Pasta Salad Recipes
    • Potato Salad Recipes
    • Spinach Salad Recipes
    • Tuna Salad Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes

    Side Dish Recipes

    See All Side Dish Recipes
    Our 10 Best Morel Mushroom Recipes

    Our 10 Best Morel Mushroom Recipes

    • Baked Bean Recipes
    • Broccoli Side Dish Recipes
    • Mashed Potato Recipes
    • Pasta Sauce Recipes
    • Potato Side Dish Recipes
    • Rice Side Dish Recipes
    • Salad Dressing Recipes
    • Scalloped Potato Recipes
    • Vegetable Side Dish Recipes
  • Soup, Stew & Chili Recipes

    Soup, Stew & Chili Recipes

    See All Soup, Stew & Chili Recipes
    10 Lemon Chicken Soup Recipes That Are Full of Citrus Flavor

    10 Lemon Chicken Soup Recipes That Are Full of Citrus Flavor

    Lemon juice adds bright flavor to these comforting chicken soups. In this collection of our best lemon chicken soup recipes, you'll find traditional favorites (such as Greek avgolemono soup, which is thickened to velvety perfection with egg yolks) and fun new ideas (from restaurant-inspired copycats to shortcut ideas made with just a few ingredients). Get the mouthwatering lemon chicken soup inspiration here. 
    • Beef Stew Recipes
    • Cabbage Soup Recipes
    • Chicken and Dumpling Recipes
    • Chili Recipes
    • Corn Chowder Recipes
    • Gumbo Recipes
    • Jambalaya Recipes
    • Potato Soup Recipes
    • Taco Soup Recipes
    • Tomato Soup Recipes
    • More Soup Recipes
    • More Stew Recipes
  • Cooking Style

    Cooking Style

    See All Cooking Style
    15 Vegan Potato Salad Recipes

    15 Vegan Potato Salad Recipes

    • 5 Ingredient Recipes
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • BBQ & Grilling Recipes
    • Cooking for Two
    • Family Dinner Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Kid-Friendly Recipes
    • Leftover Recipes
    • Make-Ahead Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Diet & Healthy Recipes

    Diet & Healthy Recipes

    See All Diet & Healthy Recipes
    5 Breakfast Foods People With Diabetes Should Eat Regularly

    5 Breakfast Foods People With Diabetes Should Eat Regularly

    If you're watching your blood sugar and carb intake, start your day off with these heart-healthy, diabetes-friendly breakfast foods.
    • Well Fed
    • Diabetic Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Keto Recipes
    • Low Calorie Recipes
    • Low Carb Recipes
    • Low Cholesterol Recipes
    • Low Fat Recipes
    • Low Sodium Recipes
    • Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Whole30 Recipes
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining
    17 Delicious and Delightful Spring Cupcake Recipes

    17 Delicious and Delightful Spring Cupcake Recipes

    Spring is the season of rebirth, and that itself is a cause for celebration. The pleasant weather and sunshine make an ideal backdrop for get-togethers like wedding showers, picnics, brunches, and wedding receptions. And the best way for your dessert spread to represent a springtime state of mind is to include treats with springy ingredients, like fresh strawberries and bright citrus. Check out our collection of cupcakes that'll be welcome at any springtime gathering.
    • Holiday Planning
    • Cocktail Hour
    • Good Times, Good Food
    • New Year's Recipes
    • Recipes for Super Bowl(R)
    • Valentines's Day Recipes
    • Mardi Gras Recipes
    • St. Patrick's Day Recipes
    • Easter Recipes
    • Cinco de Mayo Recipes
    • Mother's Day Recipes
    • 4th of July Recipes
    • Halloween Recipes
    • Thanksgiving Recipes
    • Christmas Recipes
  • World Cuisine

    World Cuisine

    See All World Cuisine
    Throw a Korean-Style BBQ Party at Home

    Throw a Korean-Style BBQ Party at Home

    Korean barbeque is a shared experience. Here's how to create the communal Korean BBQ experience at home!
    • Chinese Recipes
    • Filipino Recipes
    • French Recipes
    • German Recipes
    • Greek Recipes
    • Indian Recipes
    • Italian Recipes
    • Japanese Recipes
    • Korean Recipes
    • Mexican Recipes
    • Russian Recipes
    • Spanish Recipes
    • Thai Recipes
    • Vietnamese Recipes
    • Global Kitchen
  • Kitchen Tips

    Kitchen Tips

    See All Kitchen Tips
    4 Hacks for Crushing Ice Without a Blender

    4 Hacks for Crushing Ice Without a Blender

    Here's how to use other kitchen tools to achieve the same result.
    • All About Ingredients
    • Baking
    • Buying
    • Cleaning
    • Recipe Conversion and Scaling
    • Decorating Cakes, Cookies and Other Desserts
    • Food Handling and Safety
    • Gardening
    • Grilling and Other Outdoor Cooking
    • How To
    • Meal Planning and Menus
    • Ingredient Substitutions
    • Kitchen Tools and Techniques
    • You Can Cook That
  • Allrecipes Magazine Recipes
  • Food Wishes with Chef John
  • Homemade Podcast
  • Trusted Brands
  • Food News and Trends

    Food News and Trends

    See All Food News and Trends
    Do Microfiber Cloths Actually Work?

    Do Microfiber Cloths Actually Work?

    Get to know the magic of microfiber.
    • Cooks to Follow
    • Gift Guides
    • Product Reviews and Buying Guides
    • Recalls
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Get Allrecipes Magazine this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Help this link opens in a new tab

More

  • Shopping List
  • Ask the Community this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • My Profile
  • Saved Items & Collections
  • Help this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Shopping List
  • Ask the Community this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Side Dish
  4. Sauces and Condiments
  5. Sauces
  6. Pesto
  7. 15 Quick and Easy Dinners Loaded With Pesto

15 Quick and Easy Dinners Loaded With Pesto

Vanessa Greaves
By Vanessa Greaves Updated November 09, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Pin
shrimp in pesto over linguine
Credit: Dianne

Want a quick and easy pick-me-up for pasta, chicken, fish, eggs, and so much more? Reach for the pesto. This thick, intensely flavored paste — typically made of basil, olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts — makes ordinary recipes sing out with joy. Keep unopened ready-made pesto in your pantry, or homemade pesto in your freezer, and great meals are just minutes away. Here are our 15 favorite recipes that call for this nutty, herby sauce.

Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Teena's Spicy Pesto Chicken and Pasta

Teena's Spicy Pesto Chicken and Pasta
Credit: LynnInHK
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"Killer pasta — took it to a friend's barbeque, and was kinda embarrassed that it took center stage over everything she had prepared for her party. This recipe needs no adjusting, it's perfect." —J. Shelby

1 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pesto Zoodles

Pesto Zoodles
Credit: Molly
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"Perfect meal for those busy nights when you need something healthy, filling, and quick." —Buckwheat Queen

  • Delicious Ways to Use Pesto

2 of 15

3 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spinach Pesto Chicken Breasts

Spinach Pesto Chicken Breasts
Credit: Life Tastes Good
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Four ingredients are all you'll need to make this quick and easy chicken dinner. It's easily customizable, too: Many reviewers used this as a base recipe and added their own touches with ingredients like garlic, onion, mushrooms, wine, tomatoes, and so on. 

  • How to Make Pesto Sauce

3 of 15

Advertisement

4 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pesto-Stuffed Grilled Portobellos

Pesto-Stuffed Grilled Portobellos
Credit: France C
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"This was so delicious! Near the end, I sprinkled with the grated Italian cheeses. Mouthwatering!" —AppleKrisp

4 of 15

5 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Goat Cheese Arugula Pizza - No Red Sauce!

Goat Cheese Arugula Pizza - No Red Sauce!
Credit: Kimber
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"This pizza is absolutely delicious! It's so easy and quick to prepare, but you feel like you're eating gourmet when you eat it." —annabarnes

5 of 15

6 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Poached Eggs Caprese

Poached Eggs Caprese on a white plate
Credit: bd.weld
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Breakfast for dinner gets an upgrade thanks to pesto, poached eggs, mozzarella cheese, and tomato slices atop toasted English muffins. And it all comes together in about 20 minutes.

6 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad

Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad
Credit: Buckwheat Queen
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"Super simple, yet hugely popular at my house. During a season of hot weather, I make a huge batch of this in the morning and it lasted for days, and still tastes wonderful." —PAMFENWAY

7 of 15

8 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Creamy Pesto Shrimp

shrimp in pesto over linguine
Credit: Dianne
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This 5-star recipe is ready in 30 minutes but tastes like fine dining. Jill says, "OH MY GOSH I can NOT say enough about this recipe!! It was AWESOME and soo easy!"

  • Fresh Takes on Traditional Homemade Pesto

8 of 15

9 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Credit: Allrecipes Magazine
View Recipe

"I first had this sandwich at a small restaurant and immediately went home to duplicate the recipe. I've been making my grilled cheese sandwiches this way ever since!" —RASSA2

9 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Scallops with Pesto Cream Sauce

Scallops with Pesto Cream Sauce
Credit: Allrecipes Magazine
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"It''s a wonderful surprise when you find a recipe that's this easy and tastes like you might find it at a fine French restaurant." —DanaV

10 of 15

11 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Egg Pesto Breakfast Wrap

Egg Pesto Breakfast Wrap
Credit: Linda T
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"This was great! I had some leftover pesto that I needed to use up. I didn't have the tomato or artichoke, which I'm sure would be delicious, but even without them this wrap was a winner!" —Yancando

11 of 15

12 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pesto Shrimp Sandwich

Pesto Shrimp Sandwich
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"I followed the recipe as written using homemade pesto. This is a delicious sandwich. I loved it and I will definitely make it again!" —Pam Ziegler Lutz

12 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pesto Chicken

Pesto Chicken
Credit: SouthernBelle
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"I never really cook and yet this turned out great! It was easy and very delicious. For the pesto sauce, I used the recipe for 15-Year-Old Pesto Sauce, and it worked out really well." —lauramg

13 of 15

14 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Smoked Salmon Pesto Pasta

Smoked Salmon Pesto Pasta
Credit: BETHANYWEATHERSBY
View Recipe

"Decided to add a sprinkling of lemon juice and a couple of dashes of Tabasco," writes home cook rua. "We also replaced the water with white wine, and that turned out to be the perfect combination. Will definitely be making again."

14 of 15

15 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pesto Polenta Lasagna

Pesto Polenta Lasagna
Credit: Cattack
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"Very smart base recipe! Polenta works wonderfully as a substitute for noodles and makes the meal lighter and lets the other ingredients used stand with their own flavors." —Maezystar

  • See our entire collection of Pesto Recipes here.

15 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Vanessa Greaves

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 15 Teena's Spicy Pesto Chicken and Pasta
    2 of 15 Pesto Zoodles
    3 of 15 Spinach Pesto Chicken Breasts
    4 of 15 Pesto-Stuffed Grilled Portobellos
    5 of 15 Goat Cheese Arugula Pizza - No Red Sauce!
    6 of 15 Poached Eggs Caprese
    7 of 15 Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad
    8 of 15 Creamy Pesto Shrimp
    9 of 15 Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
    10 of 15 Scallops with Pesto Cream Sauce
    11 of 15 Egg Pesto Breakfast Wrap
    12 of 15 Pesto Shrimp Sandwich
    13 of 15 Pesto Chicken
    14 of 15 Smoked Salmon Pesto Pasta
    15 of 15 Pesto Polenta Lasagna

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Allrecipes

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us this link opens in a new tab
    • Contact Us this link opens in a new tab
    • Editorial Guidelines this link opens in a new tab
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Apps this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Careers this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithAllrecipes is part of the Meredith Food Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab. All Rights Reserved.
    Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Allrecipes. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.allrecipes.com

    Sign in

    View image

    15 Quick and Easy Dinners Loaded With Pesto
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.