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We all know pesto as a delicious basil-flavored sauce, most commonly paired with pasta. Within these 12 recipes, you will find innovative takes on this classic pairing, as well as novel ways to incorporate pesto outside of a pasta dish. For too long pesto has been confined to a pasta sauce! Let these recipes invite you to experiment with the versatility of pesto.

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help you get healthy! 

1. Smashed Avocado, Chickpea and Pesto

Smashed Avocado, Chickpea and Pesto

Source: Smashed Avocado, Chickpea and Pesto

This Smashed Avocado, Chickpea and Pesto by Wholesome LLC will fill you up and is super delicious!

2. Roasted Carrots and New Potatoes With Arugula Pesto

Roasted Carrots and New Potatoes With Arugula Pesto

Source: Roasted Carrots and New Potatoes With Arugula Pesto

Although small in size, new potatoes pack more flavor than their fully-grown counterparts. They are sweeter, and their higher moisture content makes them smooth and creamy. So, they’re perfect in this simple side of carrots, potatoes, and arugula pesto. Serve these Roasted Carrots and New Potatoes With Arugula Pesto by Rachel Hanawalt alongside a main like tofu or cauliflower steak.

3. Pesto Feta Swirl Buns

Pesto Feta Swirl Buns

Source: Pesto Feta Swirl Buns

Herby pesto swirl buns with vegan feta cheese! These Pesto Feta Swirl Buns by Anna Sue are kind of addictive. They seem to disappear before they touch the table. Imagine… a light and fluffy dough swirled with homemade pesto and melty feta cheese. So soft, springy, and ultra fluffy. And it’s super simple to make, but it’s a great base for the buns.

4. Zucchini Pasta with Sweet Corn Cilantro Pesto

Zucchini Pasta with Sweet Corn Cilantro Pesto

Source: Zucchini Pasta with Sweet Corn Cilantro Pesto

This fresh Zucchini Pasta with Sweet Corn Cilantro Pesto by Nikki and Zuzana is light and fresh and the perfect way to take advantage of the season’s vegetables. It makes a quick and easy meal for a busy weeknight dinner as it’s ready and on the table in just 20 minutes!

5. Creamy Basil Pesto with Macadamia Nuts

Creamy Basil Pesto with Macadamia Nuts

Source: Creamy Basil Pesto with Macadamia Nuts

This pesto comes together wonderfully when using macadamia nuts rather than pine nuts. This pesto works in so many ways on many dishes such as pasta and sandwiches! You’ll love this Creamy Basil Pesto with Macadamia Nuts by ThePlantbasedSchool!

6. Pizza Pesto Rosso

Pizza Pesto Rosso

Source: Pizza Pesto Rosso

A delicious red pesto that is the perfect topping for pizza! This Pizza Pesto Rosso by Peffe Stahl delicious and unique.

7. Kale Stem Pesto

Kale Stem Pesto

Source: Kale Stem Pesto

How many kale recipes have you come across in which the directions tell you to reserve the stems for “another use” or even discard them altogether? Well, friends, this is your other use. Those rigid stems and ribs we often remove are the star of the show here, and they’re every bit as fresh and earthy as their leafy counterparts. Used raw, they’re a great pairing for the tangy lemon in this Kale Stem Pesto by Linda Ly. You’re not solely limited to kale stems, either; try this with your other neglected stems, such as collards, cauliflower, or broccoli.

8. Easy Basil Pesto

basil pesto

Source: Easy Basil Pesto

This classic Italian dish is easily made vegan by replacing parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast. Lenny Wu‘s Easy Basil Pesto is fantastic!

9. Cilantro Pesto

Cilantro Pesto

Source: Cilantro Pesto

Cilantro is a good source of vitamins and minerals, and is one of the richest herbal sources of vitamin K. This Cilantro Pesto by Wendy Irene comes together easily!

10. Ravioli With Kale Pesto And Sautéed Chard

Vegan Ravioli With Kale Pesto And Sautéed Chard and fresh tomatoes

Source: Ravioli With Kale Pesto And Sautéed Chard

When time’s tight and creativity’s running low, pasta always comes to the rescue. Making ravioli is something that’s going to serve you down the line. This delicious Ravioli With Kale Pesto And Sautéed Chard by Travis Piper is cheesy, packed with greens, and totally convincing that it’s made with cheese products.

11. Sausage Pesto Pasta Bake

sausage pesto pasta bake

Source: Sausage Pesto Pasta Bake

A hearty vegan pasta bake recipe for a satisfying dinner. This delicious Sausage Pesto Pasta Bake by Hayley Canning will have everybody coming back for more. Pasta is mixed with vegan sausage, tomato sauce, and onion, then topped with pesto and vegan cheese! Once it comes out of the oven, you won’t want to wait for your guests to arrive or dinner to start. This vegan pasta bake tastes as good as it smells. It’s really easy to make and so full of flavor! The perfect warming and cozy meal.

12. Spinach Pesto Pasta With Almond Parmesan

Spinach Pesto Pasta With Almond Parmesan

Source: Spinach Pesto Pasta With Almond Parmesan

Packed with spinach, basil, toasted almonds, and garlic, get ready to bless your pasta with a whole heap of flavor! A convenient bonus is that this whole dish can be prepared in less than 20 minutes, perfect for a speedy evening meal. You have to try this Spinach Pesto Pasta With Almond Parmesan by Harriet Porterfield!

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Zucchini basil pesto lasagna

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

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