12 Ways To Eat Pesto That Don't Involve Pasta

Pesto may not be the most conventional condiment, but it’s one that you should really consider keeping in your fridge at all times. Whether you stock up on it by the jar at your local grocery store, or you make your own at home, there are so many unique ways to use pesto — and they don’t all involve mixing it into a plain bowl of pasta. Sure, we love our easy pasta dinners, but we know we can do better.

After all, pesto is one of our favorite basil recipes — it deserves to go in more than one type of dish. Consider mixing it in your salad the next time you open a jar, or get creative with some vegetables. You can even use it to make your pizza taste better. There are more possibilities than you could possibly imagine, and they’re all delicious.

Save that box of spaghetti for a rainy day, and start getting adventurous with your pesto. All it takes is a little ingenuity to turn this topping into a game-changing ingredient. Try out these 12 recipes to add a little more green to your diet. Stock up on some more of this basil-filled spread, or grab your food processor, and enjoy!

1. Seared Gnocchi With Pea Pesto

Served with a comforting pea pesto, A Cozy Kitchen's unique gnocchi recipe tastes a step above your average pasta bowl.

2. Green Grilled Cheese

To kick up your usual grilled cheese, go green: I Am A Food Blog slathers pesto onto this gooey sandwich for a refreshing touch.

3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Cranberry Pistachio Pesto

Whether you serve it as a decadent side dish or enjoy it on its own, Steamy Kitchen's pesto-topped Brussels sprout dish is bound to impress.

4. Peas And Pesto Quinoa Patties

Pre-made pesto gives A Beautiful Mess' healthy quinoa patties a tasty touch of basil.

5. Spinach Pesto Polenta With Smoky Chickpeas

Hold off on the parmesan — Naturally Ella's vegan pesto polenta makes the perfect comfort food.

6. Pesto Pizza

Topped with prosciutto and mozzarella, A Spicy Perspective's simple pesto pizza is quite the delicacy.

7. Artichoke Salad With Mint And Spinach Pesto

Forget the dressing — Love and Lemons' minty pesto makes for a zesty salad.

8. 15-Minute Japanese Mushroom Flatbread

A fancy-tasting meal doesn't have to be hard! Steamy Kitchen uses pre-made pesto to take this mushroom flatbread to the next level.

9. Pesto Potato Skillet

Pesto and carbs are naturally a match made in culinary heaven — Naturally Ella's green potato skillet is out-of-this-world good.

10. Pesto Cheese Fondue

What if we told you that your favorite cheese dip could taste even better? A Spicy Perspective has done the impossible by adding sun-dried tomato pesto to the fondue pot.

11. Vegan Pesto Parmesan Breadsticks

No need for dairy here! Minimalist Baker gives this vegan pesto a cheesy taste with nutritional yeast and cashews.

12. Popeye Pesto Tofu Scramble

There's nothing like a healthy tofu scramble to start your day. The Kitchn makes this version really stand out with a touch of green.

Images: Naturally Ella (3); A Cozy Kitchen; Steamy Kitchen (2); I Am A Food Blog; A Beautiful Mess; A Spicy Perspective; Love and Lemons; Minimalist Baker; The Kitchn