What better way to celebrate St.Patrick’s Day than with a pesto-inspired theme in the kitchen. These 8 healthy pesto recipes are not only festive, they’re delicious and easy to prepare.
Pesto is a classic ingredient in any Italian kitchen. From seafood and pasta, to vegetables and proteins, pesto is a rich, light-tasting condiment that adds a bright, fresh flavour to any recipe. Classic Basil Pesto is one of the easiest condiments to make. All you need are 3 main ingredients to prepare this healthy pesto recipe – good quality extra virgin olive oil fresh basil leaves, and toasted pine nuts – and a hint of sea salt. Garlic and Parmigiano Reggiano are optional, but they do add a ton of flavour. Be sure to use fresh quality ingredients, since they can make or break this recipe. Choose an extra virgin olive oil with a deep green hue and fresh (preferably in season) basil leaves to ensure optimal flavour. If you’re looking for a allergy-friendly pesto, try this Nut-Free Spinach Pesto recipe.
Pesto freezes extremely well so ideally you should prepare large batches and store some in the freezer to use for a later date. These recipes taste delicious without pesto, but the addition of the bright, rich flavour of homemade pesto makes these recipes that much tastier!
These all look great, I love Pasta and am always looking for new ways to prepare it!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
I am a super pasta fan. Forget st.Patricks day I would try this any time of year.
All of these look so good! I have never really made meals with pesto like this but I love it. I need to try these out.
Thanks! Pesto is such an easy way to add more flavour to any meal.
We are huge fans of pesto here in our home. I definitely need to step up my game. Thanks for sharing!
These recipes should do the trick!
Love all your recipes! Can’t wait to try the pesto!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for sharing all of these wonderful recipes. I have never cooked with pesto before but these look great.
No problem…you should definitely try making it!
Thank you for sharing these recipes. I personally don’t care for pesto. I might make some green milk for my 4 year old.
Have you tried giving it to your 4 year old? I can’t imagine anyone not liking it…but then again, I love basil!
These are all great recipes. I will have to try a few of these. I am going to start with Cheesy Zucchini Pesto Risotto.
One of the easiest to prepare!
You are making me so hungry with all these food. I can’t decide which one to try first because they all look delish! 🙂
Thanks Lynn!
those dishes look gorgeous! and not to mention nutritious too! what a great find!
Thanks Vivian!
Pesto is one of my favorite condiments. All of those food you featured look yummy!
I always have some stocked in the freezer…I didn’t add the recipe but a dollop tastes great in minestrone or soups too!
I’m really happy to find some nutritious recipes for St. Patrick’s Day. I want to make the Pesto Caprese salad for my family tomorrow.
Such fresh flavours!
Everything looks so great. I have to admit that I’ve never thought about using pesto in the ways you show here. So beautiful and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!
I think most people just add it to pasta as a default. It needs a little more credit 😉
I’d love to try a few of these. We’ve never had pesto with gnocchi but that sounds really good.
Actually, my favourite pasta to add pesto too is gnocchi!
Those all look so yummy. I think the first thing I’d try is the chicken, but I’m excited to give them all a go. They look amazing.
Those quesadillas are delicious…and so easy to make!
These all look so good but I’m especially crushing on the chicken pesto quesadilla! I think I know what I’ll be serving my kiddos for St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow!
One of my kid’s faves…it’s also a great app for a dinner party!
Those are great recipe ideas. I’ve only ever put it in pasta. I can’t wait to give some of these a try.
I am Italian so pesto is in my blood. I haven’t had it for a while, so I am definitely overdue.
You can’t be Italian and not like pesto, lol!