A spoonful of good pesto can transform any dish into something unforgettable. Bright, bold, and endlessly versatile, this vibrant sauce brings life to everything it touches — pasta, sandwiches, salads, and beyond.
Some recipes stick to tradition, while others take pesto to daring new heights you never saw coming. Here are 18 pesto creations that are simply out of this world, each one ready to change the way you think about this classic favorite.
1. Classic Basil Pesto
Nothing beats the OG green goodness that started it all! Fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil—simplicity at its finest. The secret? Toast those pine nuts first for a nutty punch that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Most folks blend everything at once, but pros add the oil slowly for the silkiest texture. This verdant sauce clings perfectly to pasta, but don’t stop there! Slather it on sandwiches, swirl into soups, or dollop onto eggs.
2. Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Red alert! This ruby-hued knockout flips the pesto script with sweet-tart sun-dried tomatoes stealing the spotlight. Blitz those tomatoes with toasted almonds instead of pricey pine nuts—your wallet will thank you.
A handful of fresh basil keeps one foot in tradition while roasted garlic adds smoky depth. Fantastic smeared on crusty bread or tossed with hot pasta, this pesto’s concentrated flavor means a little goes deliciously far.
3. Arugula Walnut Pesto
Peppery punch meets nutty crunch! Arugula brings attitude to this bold pesto variation that’ll wake up your taste buds faster than morning espresso. Those peppery leaves don’t mess around—they’re here to party with your palate.
Walnuts step in as the perfect brawny partner, their earthiness balancing arugula’s kick. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten everything up. The slight bitterness cuts through rich foods like magic!
4. Cilantro Jalapeño Pesto
Holy guacamole’s sassy cousin has entered the chat! Fresh cilantro leaves bring their love-it-or-hate-it personality while jalapeños add just enough heat to make things interesting.
Skip the Parmesan and squeeze in lime juice instead—trust me, you won’t miss the cheese. Slather this zesty number on grilled corn, tacos, or swirl into rice for an instant flavor upgrade that’ll have dinner guests begging for your secret.
5. Kale Pistachio Pesto
Superfood meets super flavor in this emerald powerhouse! Kale brings its nutritional A-game while pistachios add unexpected luxury. The result? A pesto that’s basically wearable health food for your pasta.
Blanch that kale first—30 seconds in boiling water followed by an ice bath—to preserve its vibrant color and tame any bitterness. Add a splash of lemon juice and extra garlic to brighten things up. Your immune system and taste buds will high-five each other with every bite.
6. Mint Pea Pesto
Spring fling in a blender! This vibrant, sweet-meets-fresh combo captures sunshine in every spoonful. Sweet peas (frozen work perfectly) bring natural sweetness while mint adds cool complexity that dances across your tongue.
Almonds provide the perfect nutty backbone without overpowering the delicate flavors. The brilliant emerald color alone will make your Instagram followers drool with envy.
7. Roasted Red Pepper Pesto
Smoky, sweet, and straight-up seductive! This ruby-red beauty brings the charm of fire-kissed peppers to the pesto party. The natural sweetness of roasted red peppers creates a mellow base that’ll make you question your loyalty to green pestos forever.
Cashews provide creamy texture while a hint of smoked paprika amplifies the roasted flavor. No need for fancy jar peppers—roast your own for maximum flavor and minimal cost.
8. Broccoli Almond Pesto
Stealth health in sauce form! This clever concoction sneaks vegetables onto plates without a single complaint. Lightly blanched broccoli creates a surprisingly velvety base while toasted almonds bring essential nutty crunch.
A generous shower of lemon zest cuts through any hint of vegetable funk. Even dedicated broccoli-haters will be reaching for seconds when it’s disguised in this vibrant pesto magic.
9. Avocado Pesto
Guac meets pesto in this creamy dream team mashup! Ripe avocados bring their buttery magic to create the silkiest pesto that’ll ever grace your pasta. No oil needed—nature’s butter has got you covered.
Fresh basil keeps one foot in traditional territory while cilantro crashes the party for welcome complexity. Fantastic as a dip for veggies or spread on toast topped with a jammy egg for breakfast that’ll make your morning spectacular!
10. Parsley Walnut Pesto
Underdog herb finally gets its spotlight moment! Parsley—usually relegated to garnish status—proves it can carry a dish with its clean, herbaceous punch. More affordable than basil and available year-round, this bright green powerhouse delivers flavor that doesn’t quit.
Toasted walnuts bring robust earthiness that stands up beautifully to parsley’s assertive character. This pesto keeps its vibrant color longer than basil versions, making it perfect for meal prep champions!
11. Spinach Pumpkin Seed Pesto
Budget-friendly brilliance in a blender! This wallet-wise wonder uses everyday spinach and affordable pepitas to create pesto magic without breaking the bank.
Add nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a dairy-free version that still delivers cheesy satisfaction. Mild enough for picky eaters but interesting enough for food snobs. Freezes beautifully, so make a double batch and thank yourself later when dinner needs to happen in 10 minutes flat!
12. Artichoke Lemon Pesto
Mediterranean vacation in sauce form! This creamy, tangy pesto brings coastal Italian vibes to your kitchen without the airfare. Canned artichoke hearts (yes, canned—we’re keeping it real) provide velvety texture and distinctive flavor that’ll transport your taste buds straight to Sicily.
The subtle brininess pairs magically with seafood or elevates simple chicken dishes to restaurant quality. Your dinner guests will swear you spent hours in the kitchen instead of minutes at the blender!
13. Carrot Top Pesto
Food waste warrior’s secret weapon! Those feathery carrot greens you’ve been tossing? Magical pesto material hiding in plain sight! Their mild herbaceous flavor transforms into something extraordinary with just a few supporting ingredients.
A handful of parsley or basil can join the party if you want to round out the flavor profile. Perfect for drizzling over roasted carrots (full-circle cooking at its finest) or tossing with whole grain bowls.
14. Asparagus Pistachio Pesto
Spring’s greatest hit album in sauce form! This sophisticated spread captures the essence of the season’s most celebrated vegetable in all its green glory. Lightly blanched asparagus tips create a velvety base with subtle sweetness that’ll make you wonder why this isn’t more common.
Sensational tossed with linguine and topped with seared scallops for a dinner party showstopper. The stunning color alone will earn you serious kitchen cred before anyone even tastes it!
15. Beet Cashew Pesto
Hot pink punk rock attitude in a bowl! This show-stopping fuchsia sauce shatters pesto conventions with its bold color and earthy-sweet personality. Roasted beets create a velvety base that’s as nutritious as it is vibrant.
Cashews provide creamy richness while a splash of balsamic vinegar balances the beet’s natural sweetness. Fresh thyme adds herbaceous notes that elevate the entire experience beyond novelty into culinary genius territory.
16. Olive Pesto
Tapenade’s cooler, more versatile cousin! This Mediterranean maverick brings briny boldness to the pesto universe with olives leading the flavor parade. Mix kalamata and green varieties for complex flavor that transforms ordinary dishes into umami-packed experiences.
Magical spread on crusty bread or dolloped onto baked fish. The concentrated flavor means a little goes a long way, making this intense pesto economical as well as delicious.
17. Thai-Inspired Pesto
East meets West in this genre-bending flavor explosion! Traditional Italian technique gets a Southeast Asian makeover with Thai basil, cilantro, and mint forming the aromatic base. The result? A cross-cultural masterpiece that’ll blow your taste buds wide open.
Phenomenal tossed with rice noodles or used as a marinade for grilled chicken. Cultural fusion never tasted so good—this boundary-crossing creation proves that culinary rules are meant to be deliciously broken!
18. Sage Brown Butter Pesto
Autumn coziness in sauce form! This warm, nutty creation breaks the cold pesto mold by starting with fragrant brown butter instead of raw oil. Crispy fried sage leaves provide the herbal backbone with a sophisticated edge that screams “grown-up comfort food.”
Toasted hazelnuts add luxurious texture while a hint of maple syrup brings subtle sweetness. The warm amber color hints at the rich, complex flavors waiting inside.