Pesto recipes for a delicious dinner

The food experts at Delicious have compiled 20 of their fave recipes based around pesto. Check out how to add some green goodness to your meals here.

3 min read

January 19, 2024 - 12:57PM

Fresh and full of herbs, pesto promises to bring a zing to anything you pair it with.

Pesto is generally made from basil leaves, garlic, pecorino and Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, olive oil and salt.

Because it contains nuts and oil, you get a good dose of healthy oils and - if used in moderation - it can be a healthier option that cream-based sauces.

Here’s 20 ways with pesto to make your dinner options greener and yummier.

Yotam Ottolenghi’s pesto pasta with white beans and haloumi

This vegetarian weeknight dinner comes together in half an hour and is made super special with the addition of haloumi – it looks like a fluffy cloud when grated, and it gives the pasta just the right amount of salty tang.

Zucchini pesto pasta.

Zucchini pesto pasta

Matt Preston is a fan of fast, flavourful food. Here are one of his favourite ready-in-a-flash dishes. “Feel free to play with the herbs in this pesto. Try tarragon and parsley. The pesto can also be used as a dressing for grilled veg, chicken, white fish or even hard-boiled eggs.”

Baked gnocchi with pesto Parmesan bechamel

If you’ve ever wondered how to make gnocchi even better, the answer is a homemade pesto bechamel and baking the dish to perfection.

You won’t regretti making these herby pork meatballs with pesto spaghetti

Rewrite the spaghetti and meatball rules with this no-waste herby pesto.

Walnut, oregano and pecorino pesto fusilli.

Walnut, oregano and pecorino pesto fusilli

Full of fresh, flavourful herbs, this fast fusilli recipe will be a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Spelt spaghetti with roasted lemon rocket pesto

Fast, fresh and unbelievably flavourful. What more could you want?

Rocket pesto with spelt spaghettini

Peppery rocket gives this pesto a kick. recipe from Matt Moran’s Australian Food (Murdoch Books RRP $45).

Trofie with nasturtium and macadamia pesto

Matt Preston’s trofie with nasturtium and macadamia pesto

Matt Preston throws nasturtium leaves on prosciutto pizza instead of rocket, tosses flowers or leaves into salads that need a peppery bite, and even adds them to green smoothies. Plant some this weekend. They will not disappoint.

Barley risotto with prawns and pea pesto

Pearl barley is a great alternative to rice and goes perfectly here with the prawns and peas.

Rib-eye with tomato pesto butter and herb salad

This fast and fresh recipe is perfect for a filling and fulfilling meal. Hearty and healthy, all in one.

Goat's cheese gnudi with mushrooms and kale pesto.

Goat’s cheese gnudi with mushrooms and kale pesto

Completely gluten-free and totally good for you.

Ragu with sage pesto

Keep leftover pesto to use another time.

Lamb cutlets with lentil salad and mint and watercress pesto

This vibrant lamb salad is full of amazing textures and flavours.

Crumbed lamb cutlets with kale pesto.

Crumbed lamb cutlets with kale pesto

Try this modern twist on a classic cutlet, says Matt Moran.

Sweet potato and carrot soup with Thai pesto

This divine winter soup packs a real flavour punch courtesy of the Thai pesto. This is one soup you’ll definitely be adding to your repertoire.

Jamie Oliver’s spaghetti with broad bean pesto

Broad beans are a rich source of protein and folic acid. This is a simple recipe you can whip up for a midweek meal. The pesto is also great as a dip served with crudites, says Jamie.

Linguine with Sicilian pesto.

Linguine with Sicilian pesto

Ready in a matter of minutes, this comforting pasta dish is perfect for those time-poor midweek meals.

Pesto rigatoni mac ‘n’ cheese

We love this green variation on mac’n’cheese and let’s face it, everyone needs their fix of melted cheese during the colder months. Try our healthier take on this cult classic, you won’t be disappointed.

Zucchini and polenta slice with broccoli pesto

A healthy, green way to serve a slice up for summer.