Pesto can be amazing and flavorful…but it’s kinda useless unless you have ideas for how to serve it. There are an infinite number of possibilities, so don’t think of this as an exhaustive list. It’s just a jumping off point to get you thinking of ways to incorporate pesto into your culinary world. Need other ideas? Start with “what would I put hummous on?"
1. Serve with crackers & cheese
I know. This seems really obvious and boring. Think of it more as “traditional” or “standard”. I think it’s a chance to figure out which cheeses go best with each type of pesto.
2. Serve with pasta
Another “traditional” choice. You can always add extra ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, roasted veggies or alfredo sauce to make a boring pasta dish more exciting.
3. Serve over tofu
Tofu is one of those foods that needs to be surrounded by intense flavor. By itself, it’s incredibly bland and practically inedible; but when you pair it with a great sauce (like pesto), you can make something sublime. It’s also a great option if you have a vegetarian over for dinner.
4. Serve with salmon
I love to make a simple baked salmon and serve it with lentils and mushrooms. Adding pesto to this combination makes a great, healthy meal.
5. Serve with chicken
Rosemary and chicken are one of those magical pairs that seem to be made for each other. Adding the rosemary pesto to any simple chicken dish (or even adding it to a chicken sandwich) is a no-brainer.
6. Serve with lamb
I’m not actually a fan of lamb. The taste is a little strong for me, but I know that people who love lamb always rave about combining it with any kind of mint sauce. I’m guessing this is the red-meat counterpart to chicken and rosemary.
7. Serve as a dip for vegetables
Raw vegetables are one of those staples that you have to have at any party, but they’re always served with the same old dips. Try adding pesto to the mix to shake up the status quo.
8. Serve the basil pesto with soft mozzarella and fresh tomatoes
This is a variation on a caprese salad. It can make a lovely appetizer or salad course. Use the softest mozzarella you can find. I’ve noticed that kosher markets are starting to carry mozzarella in liquid that is close to the traditional buffalo mozzarella used in this salad.
9. Serve over roasted potatoes
Fine. Maybe this option is little more than adding roasted potatoes to the chicken mentioned in #5, but with or without the chicken, adding some pesto to potatoes will elevate the entire meal.
10. Replace the mayo in your sandwich
You could try to make a healthier sandwich by using a light or fat-free mayonnaise. Or better yet, eliminate the mayo altogether and add a lot of flavor by spreading on some pesto instead.