Wondering how to use up that container of pesto that’s in the fridge? Here are some amazingly delicious pesto uses. Easy recipes including pastas, salads, soups and more!
Wondering how to use leftover pesto?
It’s easy! Pesto is such a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes – from savory pasta dishes, to seafood dishes, soups, salads, and more!
Here are 30+ easy leftover pesto ideas. So you no longer have to ask the question – “What can I use pesto for?”
PS – Be sure to check out my favorite pesto recipe and wine pairings for pesto too!
Easy Pesto Uses
Broccoli Walnut Pesto Pasta
Pesto Pasta: Cook your favorite pasta according to package instructions and toss with homemade or store-bought pesto. You can add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes for a more substantial meal.
Pesto Pasta
Pesto Steak
Grilled Flank Steak with Pesto: Marinated in a soy and honey mix and topped with creamy burrata and peppery arugula pesto, every bite of this grilled steak explodes with flavor!
Grilled Flank Steak with Pesto
Lemon Pesto Dressing
Pesto Dressing: This Pesto Salad Dressing is the best way to step up your salad game. Easy to make with homemade or store-bought pesto, it’s a fragrant and vibrant dressing that elevates your salads (and more!) with tangy, fresh flavors.
Pesto Salad Dressing
Pesto Couscous
Pesto Couscous: This Pesto Couscous Recipe combines fluffy and chewy Israeli couscous with basil pesto to give you an easy yet sophisticated side dish or light main course. You’ll love its addictive Italian flavors!
Pesto Couscous
Instant Pot Chickpea Soup
Bean Soup with Pesto: This Instant Pot Bean Soup with Pesto is made with chickpeas and tomatoes. It's vegetarian friendly, super delicious and cooks up quick in your pressure cooker.
Bean Soup with Pesto
Pesto Mayo
This easy, creamy Pesto Mayo Sauce combines mayo, pesto, and lemon juice to give you an addictively delicious condiment to spread on a sandwich, drizzle on a salad, and more!
Pesto Mayo
Pesto Crusted Salmon
This 30-minute Pesto Crusted Salmon recipe envelops salmon filets in a crispy pesto-infused panko crust. Baked until tender and flaky, it’s an impressive yet fuss-free meal that’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Pesto Crusted Salmon
Pesto Risotto
Make dinner extra special with Pesto Risotto, an impressive main dish featuring creamy Arborio rice, parmesan cheese, basil pesto, and toasted pine nuts. It’s a surprisingly easy 30-minute meal that’s perfect for weeknights or entertaining!
Pesto Risotto
Pesto Cream Sauce
Rich and herbaceous Pesto Cream Sauce in just 10 minutes! Make it with homemade or store-bought pesto for a quick and easy Italian-inspired dinner.
Pesto Cream Sauce
The Ultimate Pesto Grilled Cheese
Spread pesto on two slices of bread and add your favorite cheese. Grill in a pan until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.Get the RECIPE from Something About Sandwiches
Pesto Grilled Cheese
2 Ingredient Pesto Chicken
Pesto Chicken: Rub chicken breasts with pesto and bake in the oven until cooked through. Serve with roasted vegetables or a side salad.Get the RECIPE from Cafe Delites
Pesto Chicken
Pesto Green Beans
Simple blanched green beans (the hands-down best way to cook fresh green beans, BTW) are a perfect partner for fresh pesto in this easy, breezy summer side dish recipe.Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
Pesto Green Beans
Pesto Pizza
Spread pesto on a pizza crust and top with your favorite toppings, such as mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and sliced mushrooms. Bake in the oven until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.Get the RECIPE from Love and Lemons
Pesto Pizza
Pesto Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad
Simple to toss together, super flavorful, filling, and healthy too, a recipe you’ll crave over and over!Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Pesto Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad
Kale & Chicken Pesto Soup
Kale and Chicken Pesto Soup – robust flavours, healthy ingredients and incredibly easy to make with a homemade basil pesto! Get the RECIPE from A Saucy Kitchen
Kale & Chicken Pesto Soup
Pesto Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad Wraps
Colorful, simple, wholesome, delicious, perfect for Memorial Day…or just for lunch or dinner!Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Pesto Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad Wraps
Pesto Bruschetta
Toast slices of bread and top with pesto, chopped tomatoes, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve as an appetizer or light lunch.Get the RECIPE from Shweta in the Kitchen
Pesto Bruschetta
Pesto Potato Salad
Pesto Potato Salad: This Pesto Potato Salad is mayo free, and uses a lemony basil pesto. Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Pesto Potato Salad
Pesto & Roasted Tomato Stuffed Mushrooms
Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms: Remove the stems from mushrooms and fill the caps with a mixture of pesto, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is crispy.Get the RECIPE from Every Last Bite
Pesto & Roasted Tomato Stuffed Mushrooms
Pesto Bolognese Lasagna
Pesto Bolognese Lasagna: Slow cooked Italian style Bolognese sauce with a mix of beef, peppers, sweet tomatoes, and herbs. All layered with basil pesto ricotta, provolone cheese, and no-boil lasagna noodles. Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Pesto Bolognese Lasagna
15 Minute Grilled Veggies with Pesto
Pesto Grilled Vegetables: Toss your favorite vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and asparagus, with pesto and grill them until tender and slightly charred. It's a fantastic side dish for grilled meats or a delightful addition to salads.Get the RECIPE from Oh Sweet Basil
Grilled Veggies with Pesto
Oven Roasted Tomato and Pesto Panini
Pesto Panini: Spread pesto on the inside of a split baguette or ciabatta bread. Layer with sliced deli meats like turkey or ham, cheese, and roasted red peppers. Grill in a panini press or a hot skillet until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.Get the RECIPE from The Live in Kitchen
Oven Roasted Tomato and Pesto Panini
Roasted Vegetable Pesto Quinoa Salad
Wonderful pesto quinoa salad with roasted vegetables & chickpeas. This flavorful roasted vegetable quinoa salad recipe is the perfect lunch!Get the RECIPE from Ambitious Kitchen
Roasted Vegetable Pesto Quinoa Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad: This inexpensive pasta salad recipe is flavorful and perfect for summer picnics!Get the RECIPE from Cooking with Cocktail Rings
Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto Hummus
Pesto Hummus: A creamy, dreamy, totally addictive white bean pesto hummus loaded with the bright flavors of pesto & lemon. Get the RECIPE from Plays Well with Butter
Pesto Hummus
Pesto Breakfast Burritos
Pesto Breakfast Burritos: An easy vegetarian breakfast burritos recipe, filled with soft-scrambled eggs, cheese, roasted broccoli, mushrooms & potatoes, & a drizzle of pesto for freshness.Get the RECIPE from Plays Well with Butter
Pesto Breakfast Burritos
Pesto Crostini
Slice a baguette into thin rounds, brush them with olive oil, and toast them until crispy. Spread pesto on top of each crostini and garnish with sundried tomatoes, chopped olives, or fresh basil leaves for an appetizing party snack.Get the RECIPE from Country Hill Cottage
Pesto Crostini
Breakfast Polenta with Pesto
Creamy, cheesy Breakfast Polenta with pesto is savory brunch goals! Cook yellow grits until creamy, then mix in plenty of parmesan cheese. Get the RECIPE from Well Seasoned Studio
Breakfast Polenta with Pesto
Grilled Vegetable and Halloumi Skewers with Pistachio Pesto
Thread cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion onto skewers. Brush the vegetables with pesto and grill them until they are tender and slightly charred. It makes a delightful vegetarian or vegan option for a barbecue or gathering.Get the RECIPE from How Sweet Eats
Grilled Vegetable and Halloumi Skewers with Pistachio Pesto
25-Minute Pesto Gnocchi
Potato gnocchi with basil pesto and crispy pancetta is a simple, flavorful dinner that is on the table in less than 30 minutes.
Pesto Gnocchi
Pesto Chicken Bruschetta
Top grilled or baked chicken breasts with pesto and a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese. Place them under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve it with a side of pasta or a green salad.Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
Pesto Chicken Bruschetta
Pesto FAQs
How Long Does Pesto Last?
In general, an unopened jar of store-bought pesto can last for several months, typically around 6 to 8 months, if stored in a cool, dry place such as a pantry. Homemade pesto may have a shorter shelf life, usually around 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Once opened, pesto should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days, typically around 5 to 7 days. It’s important to keep the pesto in an airtight container and to check for signs of spoilage, such as mold or a sour smell, before consuming.
Can you Freeze Pesto?
To extend the shelf life of pesto, you can also freeze it for up to three months.
I like to freeze it into individual portions using a silicone ice cube mold. Then I package the cubes into a large ziploc bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for about 1 hour.
Favorite Pesto Recipes
More Ingredient Guides
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Full Recipe
30+ Creative Pesto Uses
Wondering how to use up that container of pesto? Here are 30+ amazingly delicious recipes that use pesto. Pastas, salads, soups and more! Try this Grilled Flank Steak with Pesto. Marinated in a soy and honey mix and topped with creamy burrata and peppery arugula pesto.
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Serves 4 people
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds flank steak
Marinade:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 cloves garlic (grated or minced)
- 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Arugula Pesto:
- 2 cups packed arugula
- ¼ cup packed basil
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup finely grated parmesan
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic (crushed)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
For Serving:
- 4 ears corn
- 2 balls burrata cheese (torn into bite sized pieces (4 ounces))
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Whisk together the marinade ingredients and pour over the flank steak in a casserole dish or large ziploc bag. Let marinate 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
- Meanwhile, preheat your grill to high heat.
- While the grill is heating, make the pesto. Process arugula, basil, oil, parmesan, pine nuts, lemon zest, garlic and salt in a food processor or blender until finely chopped; season with pepper, to taste.
- Add the corn and steak to the grill and cook the steak for 3-5 minutes per side for medium rare (132 degrees). Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Cook the corn until charred in spots and tender (about 10 minutes).
- Slice the steak against the grain and cut the corn kernels off the cobs.
- Plate the steak with the burrata and grilled corn and top with arugula pesto. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 1084kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 90g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 57g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 1581mg | Potassium: 762mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 523IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 367mg | Iron: 4mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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