21 Different Things To Do With Pesto When Your Garden’s Out Of Control

When basil plants start producing more than you can keep up with, pesto is the simplest way to put it to use. A fresh jar can do far more than coat pasta. It works as a sauce, a spread, a marinade, or an easy flavor boost for meats, vegetables, soups, and salads. These recipes show how to use pesto in practical ways that go beyond the usual. With options for hot meals, cold salads, and quick lunches, you can work through your garden supply while keeping dinner varied and uncomplicated.

Italian Cold Cut Stromboli

Pesto works as both the sauce and seasoning in this stromboli, adding depth without extra steps. It’s loaded with sliced meats and cheese, wrapped in store-bought dough, and baked until golden. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s an easy dinner or snack that puts extra pesto to good use.
Get the Recipe: Italian Cold Cut Stromboli

Pesto Salmon

A generous layer of pesto goes right on the fish before baking, infusing it with flavor while keeping it moist. With only five ingredients and less than 25 minutes of cooking time, it is a fast and fresh way to make use of garden pesto.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Chickpea Pesto Sandwich

Smashed chickpeas mixed with pesto make a flavorful sandwich filling. It is a simple vegetarian option that is easy to prepare and a good way to work through extra pesto.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Pesto Sandwich

Italian Meatball Soup

Stirring pesto into the broth adds instant depth without long simmering. It blends perfectly with the meatballs, vegetables, and pasta for a quick upgrade to a cozy soup that makes smart use of extra pesto.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup

Creamy Pesto Spaghetti Squash Noodles

Spaghetti squash gets coated in a creamy pesto sauce for a lighter alternative to pasta night. It’s a practical way to use garden pesto while keeping dinner simple and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pesto Spaghetti Squash Noodles

Zucchini Noodles With Pesto

These noodles let pesto shine while keeping the dish light. They come together in just five minutes, making them an easy side or quick lunch when you want something fresh without cooking for long.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodles With Pesto

Pesto Mac and Cheese

Short pasta gets mixed with a creamy cheese sauce and a spoonful of pesto for extra flavor. It’s still classic mac and cheese, but the pesto gives it more character and makes it a great way to use up extra herbs.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Mac and Cheese

Salmon Pesto Pasta

Smoked salmon and short pasta turn pesto into a complete meal. The creamy sauce ties it together, and the quick cooking time makes it a solid choice for weeknight dinners that do not feel repetitive.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pesto Pasta

Chicken Pesto Linguine

Pantry pasta and pesto pair with juicy chicken in this one-pan dinner. It’s easy to make, scales well for leftovers, and gives you a fresh way to work through a big batch of pesto.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pesto Linguine

Pesto Chicken Pizza

Store-bought dough topped with pesto, cooked chicken, and cherry tomatoes makes this pizza quick to pull together. It bakes fast and uses everyday ingredients, which makes it easy to fit into a weeknight schedule.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Chicken Pizza

Peach Basil Pesto Chicken

Sweet peaches complement the herby flavor of pesto in this baked chicken dish. It’s simple to prep, cooks in one dish, and gives you a fresh way to enjoy garden pesto in a more unexpected pairing.
Get the Recipe: Peach Basil Pesto Chicken

Orzo Pesto Salad

This chilled salad mixes orzo, fresh vegetables, and pesto for a make-ahead meal that works for lunch or dinner. The pesto adds richness while keeping the salad light and fresh.
Get the Recipe: Orzo Pesto Salad

Pesto Pasta alla Trapanese

Trapanese pesto blends tomatoes and nuts for a chunky sauce that works beautifully with pasta. It’s quick to prepare and keeps pesto-based dinners from feeling the same every time.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta alla Trapanese

Tuna Pasta With Pesto

Just one pot and twenty minutes is all you need for this tuna and pesto pasta. Pantry ingredients make it low effort while the pesto keeps it flavorful and fresh.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Pasta With Pesto

Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

Cheese-filled tortellini, cherry tomatoes, and pesto come together for a chilled pasta salad that’s ready in minutes. It works well for cookouts, lunches, and dinners when you need something quick and transportable.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

Trenette Al Pesto

This Ligurian pasta pairs pesto with linguine, potatoes, and green beans for a balanced dinner. It comes together in one pot and is a practical way to turn pantry staples into a flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Trenette Al Pesto

Chicken Fettuccine with Chard

Pesto becomes the base for a green sauce tossed with fresh vegetables and chicken. It’s fast to prepare and makes good use of any extra greens you have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fettuccine with Chard

Baked Pesto Salmon

A jar of pesto cuts down prep time while infusing baked salmon with herby flavor. It cooks in about 20 minutes and needs little more than a baking dish to get dinner on the table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Pesto Salmon

Pesto Pasta Salad

This cold pasta salad coats tomatoes, mozzarella, and olives in pesto instead of mayo or vinaigrette. It holds up well in the fridge, making it a solid choice for parties and leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta Salad

Kale Pesto Chicken Penne Pasta

Kale gives pesto an extra layer of flavor in this one-pan pasta meal. With chicken for protein and pasta for substance, it turns pesto into a complete and easy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Kale Pesto Chicken Penne Pasta

Pesto Grilled Cheese

Pesto spreads over bread before getting layered with cheese, avocado, and vegetables for a grilled sandwich that is ready in minutes. It works for lunch or a low-effort dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Grilled Cheese