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Does the promise of pesto perk you up? If you’re a fan of this Mediterranean favorite, then sink your teeth into these top 7 best pesto recipes.
Pesto is a staple in my home, especially in the summer when PA Amish country basil is at its finest. This Mediterranean-style food is a delicious, light alternative to heavy tomato or cream sauces, making it ideal for pasta dishes. My family also enjoys it as a seriously tasty dip—we love dunking freshly sliced veggies, whole grain crackers, and even whole grain pretzels into a small bowl of pesto. It’s a fab spread on sandwiches, too.
A basic pesto recipe is made with extra virgin olive oil and pine nuts—and both contain healthy fats that act as natural appetite suppressants. Pine nuts contain iron, too, an important nutrient that supports energy production in the body. However, because olive oil and pine nuts can be high in calories, be sure to stick to proper serving sizes, which you’ll find listed with each recipe.
1. Basil & Spinach Pesto
When you want a delicious basic pesto recipe to keep on hand, this is a winner that works well with pastas or as a dip for whole grain pita chips.
2. Artichoke & Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
This is one of the best pesto recipes because it delivers that sweet tangy-ness of sun-dried tomatoes. Use this pesto as a dip, spread, or sandwich topping. It’s also a great light sauce for pasta and veggies.
3. Basil Pesto with Roasted Pecans
Made with just six ingredients, it’s super-simple to make in your blender. It puts a nice twist on traditional pesto recipes by swapping out pine nuts for pecans.
4. Goat Cheese Pesto Spread
Enjoy pesto in a new way with this tasty spread, which is made with soft goat cheese.
5. Jalapeno Cilantro Pesto
Dig into a spicy pesto bursting with flavor in this recipe, which includes adobo roasted squash.
6. Pistachio Pesto
Prep this pesto to toss with zucchini noodles, like in this recipe, or enjoy it on its own by simply omitting the zucchini
7. Pesto Hummus
Hummus and pesto flavors combine in this perfect dunk for your favorite veggies. This recipe includes a full veggie tray, but feel free to enjoy the best pesto recipes like this one with pasta or as a sandwich spread.
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