Easy pesto recipes

Classic pesto recipe

Pesto is pasta's very best friend. Make it as good as possible with fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil and parmesan.

Here's a twist on the classic pesto sauce to try...

Hemp oil pesto sauce recipe

This easy pesto recipe is a classic twist on the Italian basil pesto recipe to make a really fresh dip.

To start, here's a simple pasta salad recipe using pesto...

Recipes using pesto

Pea, broccoli and pesto ravioli

Six ingredients and just 20 minutes is all it takes to make a speedy, low-calorie pasta dinner for two.

Grains, greens and beans salad with pesto dressing

On the table in 15 minutes, this nutritious salad is packed with greens and tossed in fresh pesto.

Roasted butternut squash wedges with sage pesto

Roast squash in garlic and chilli then top with a herby homemade pesto for an vibrant autumnal side dish.

’Nduja prawns with orzo, feta and olive salad

Check out our orzo salad recipe with spicy 'nduja pesto, crumbly feta and juicy prawns. Make this simple salad for an easy low calorie meal.

Gnocchi with peas, pesto and spinach

Check out this quick, creamy gnocchi recipe with fresh pesto, bright peas and baby spinach – ready in just 10 minutes.

Salmon with pesto crust

Check out our crusted salmon with fresh pesto. This super quick and easy recipe takes 15 minutes in the oven and it's low in calories, a great midweek meal.

Lamb cutlets with pesto and beans

Check out this super simple lamb recipe. These cutlets are quickly marinated to deepen the juicy flavour, serve with a fresh pesto bean salad for an easy midweek meal ready in just 20 minutes.

Hasselback chicken traybake

This super simple and speedy hasselback chicken tray bake with mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and pesto makes a delicious tray-bake that's easily doubled or halved.

Sicilian aubergine pizzas

Pesto adds a burst of flavour to these Sicilian aubergine pizzas, which use crème fraîche instead of a tomato base, charred aubergines and sultanas, with rocket and pine nuts for a bit of extra crunch.

Tagliatelle with pesto and peas

Give pesto pasta a twist with this quick and easy recipe for two. A simple homemade pesto with rocket and parmesan is the perfect sauce for tagliatelle.

Rigatoni with broccoli pesto

This recipe for rigatoni with broccoli pesto is a great twist on a classic pesto and the perfect way to use up broccoli. What's more, it's vegetarian and ready in just 20 minutes - perfect for midweek. It's a great way to get the kids eating their greens too!

Pesto steak with balsamic tomatoes

Ditch the jar and make your own fresh-as-can-be pesto for this low-calorie, gluten-free main for one. This sizzling sirloin steak and tangy tomato dish is quick and easy and takes just 20 minutes to whip up.

Courgetti with sundried tomato, pesto and mozzarella

Try our super easy 'courgetti' recipe, made with sundried tomatoes, garlic, fresh pesto, mozzarella pearls and courgette spaghetti

Baked sweet potatoes with pine nuts, tahini and pesto

Combining all of our favourite flavours, these baked sweet potatoes with pine nuts, tahini and pesto are easy to make, vegetarian and gluten free, making them perfect for a midweek meal.

Chicken and red pesto melts

With only 20 minutes until melty cheesy goodness, this comforting but low calorie recipe is a great idea for a satisfyingly quick and easy mid-week meal for two, with the red pesto adding a burst of flavour.

Courgette, pea and artichoke salad with pistachio pesto

The pistachio pesto adds a twist to this courgetti, pea and artichoke salad, which is vegan, low calorie, gluten free and ready in just 20 minutes.

Spinach, ricotta and pesto lasagne

Keep a jar of pesto in the cupboard f0r this creamy veggie lasagne with crunchy pine nuts, perfect for feeding the family. It's a great meat-free alternative that's so delicious, you won't miss the beef!

Ciabatta stuffed with garlic, mushrooms and taleggio

What did we do to deserve such an epic sandwich? Garlicy mushrooms, Taleggio cheese and roasted red peppers make for a delicious filling, with fresh green pesto adding the perfect flavour finish.

Courgetti with pesto and balsamic tomatoes

Who needs pasta when you can have spiralled courgette? Try our healthy 'courgetti' recipe, made with the delicious combination of baby plum tomatoes, garlic, pesto, pine nuts and a lot of courgette noodles.

Pasta alla genovese

Pasta alla genovese is a classic Italian pasta dish using just four simple ingredients. Rich in flavour thanks to the pesto and ready in only 15 minutes, it's the perfect quick and easy meal to make midweek.

Grilled portobellos with ricotta, pesto and rocket

This recipe for grilled portobellos with ricotta, pesto and rocket ticks all the boxes: it's ready in 20 minutes, vegetarian and under 300 calories. Plus, it's packed with flavour thanks to the pesto, and the creamy ricotta makes it feel indulgent