17 pasta with pesto recipes

This avocado pesto is so creamy, tasty and refreshing. Toss the pasta with it to make a quick, wholesome and delicious week-day meal.

By using both arugula and parsley brings double refreshing taste into the pesto, ricotta adds the extra moisture and creaminess without overwhelming the parmesan, and the toasted walnuts makes the pesto taste nutty and fragrant. Toss it with pasta, or use it as a base on the pizza!

This was the side-dish my mother-in law made for Easter dinner, and my favorite. Freshly homemade pasta was mixed with basil pesto, sun-dried tomato, arugula and chunks of fresh mozzarella cheese. It was so delicious and flavorful. Here it is...

Cilantro pesto pasta with pine nuts, Parmesan, and poppy seeds tossed through spinach fettuccine. A fresh twist on classic basil pesto ready in 20 minutes.

Pasta with pesto and grilled chicken: linguine tossed with jarred or homemade pesto and charred chicken pieces. Quick 30-minute dinner, warm or room temperature.

Quick creamy basil pesto pasta topped with pan-fried chicken breast, ready in under 30 minutes. Homemade pesto blended with cream coats every strand for a rich, herbaceous weeknight dinner for two.

Pasta with spinach pesto made from fresh spinach, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil pureed smooth. A milder, more affordable twist on traditional basil pesto that freezes well for up to 6 weeks.

Grilled shrimp with pesto pasta salad: chilled linguine tossed in homemade basil pesto with red and green peppers, topped with quick-grilled shrimp skewers. A summer entrée salad that works hot or cold.

Light basil pesto pasta with toasted pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and reduced chicken broth instead of heavy oil. Fresh, bright, and ready in 20 minutes.

Farfalle tossed in a creamy cilantro pesto made with cottage cheese and yogurt, finished with garlic and red pepper flakes. Light, fresh, and easily made vegan.

Pasta tossed with homemade basil pesto, a light olive oil bechamel, sun-dried tomatoes, and toasted breadcrumbs. A layered Italian pasta with three sauces in one bowl.

Farfalle pasta with broccoli pine nut pesto made from blanched broccoli, garlic, olive oil, and white wine vinegar processed into a coarse green sauce with red pepper flakes.

Vegan miso pesto with toasted pine nuts, fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and white miso, tossed with fine pasta. A cheese-free pesto with deep umami flavor.

Pesto pasta with marinated artichoke hearts, black olives, and sauteed bell peppers tossed with bowtie or angel hair. A 40-minute vegetarian-friendly dinner.

Pasta alla Genovese with pesto, blanched green beans, Yukon gold potatoes, toasted walnuts, and Parmesan. The classic Ligurian pasta dish that proves carbs and vegetables together is genius.

Three-green pasta with scallops and pesto sauce: fettuccine tossed with seared sea scallops, asparagus, green beans, peas, pesto, and cream. A quick spring pasta for six ready in 40 minutes.