12 Healthy Pesto Recipes You Need to Try

Although it usually features basil, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese, there are countless ways to make pesto. You can substitute in different herbs (from arugula to parsley to green veggies like peas), nuts (pistachios, almonds, and walnuts are all delicious), and even oils (we love avocado or sesame) to give the classic dish new life. Next time you have a craving for pesto, try one of these variations on the quintessential sauce—they're all packed with flavor and can complement anything from pasta to pizza to grilled veggies.

Try this recipe: Avocado Pesto

This delectable recipe is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Instead of olive oil, this version uses avocado to make a creamy sauce that will enhance your pasta, zucchini noodles, and more.

Ingredients: Extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, avocado, fresh basil leaves, chopped walnuts, fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper

Try this recipe: Vietnamese Pesto

This sweet and sour Asian-inspired pesto is sure to be a hit. Spread on fish before baking or grilling, or slather it on a banh mi.

Ingredients: Sesame oil, dry-roasted peanuts, Vietnamese fish sauce, light brown sugar, fresh garlic, serrano chili, fresh basil leaves, fresh cilantro sprigs, flat-leaf parsley flakes, fresh lime juice

Calories: 176

Try this recipe: Pesto Verde

Enjoy this south-of-the-border-flavored sauce on tacos or grilled corn, or mixed into rice. It's bright, zesty, and sure to impress your dinner guests.

Ingredients: Avocado oil, pepitas, ground cumin, lime zest, garlic, anchovy fillets, cilantro leaves, fresh lime juice, Cotija cheese, crushed red pepper

Calories: 199

Get the recipe: Mediterranean Pesto

Consider this a new take on an old classic: Of course, you can toss with whole-grain pasta (warm or cold) and veggies. But we also recommend stirring it into bean salad or drizzling it on pizza.

Ingredients: Extra-virgin olive oil, blanched almonds, brined capers, garlic, fresh basil leaves, fresh oregano leaves, fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, crumbled feta cheese, Castelvetrano or kalamata olives, fresh lemon juice, black pepper

Calories: 181

Try this recipe: Spaghetti With Wilted Greens and Walnut-Parsley Pesto

Pesto gets a protein-packed upgrade in this recipe, which is made with chopped walnuts. Serve over spaghetti with an egg on top for the perfect post-workout dinner (bonus: this meal contains one-third of your daily iron needs!).

Ingredients: Parsley, spinach, walnuts, garlic, olive oil, lemon zest, water, salt and pepper

Calories: 439 (with pasta)

Try this recipe: Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan Pesto

Fresh homemade pesto with basil, garlic, olive oil, and pine nuts—is there anything better? This classic version complements everything from pasta to grilled fish. We love it spread on zucchini roll-ups for a light appetizer that's packed with flavor and heart-healthy fatty acids.

Ingredients: Basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper

Try this recipe: Smoky Almond-Parsley Pesto

Smoked almonds give this version a serious kick. Have leftovers? It's delicious spread over sandwiches, tossed with whole-grain pasta, or on a veggie-packed pizza.

Ingredients: Smoked almonds, garlic, flat-leaf parsley, extra-virgin olive oil, Parmiggiano-Reggiano, black pepper

Calories: 221

Try this recipe: Golden Beets with Parsley Pesto and Fregola

Instead of basil and pine nuts, this recipe uses parsley and crunchy pistachios. Serve over golden beets for a nutrient-packed vegetarian salad. 

Ingredients: Garlic, flat-leaf parsley leaves, salt, shelled unsalted pistachios, grated Parmesan, extra-virgin olive oil

Calories: 315 (with beets)

Adapted with permission from Eating in Color, by Frances Largeman-Roth. Stewart, Tabori & Chang; January 2014.

Try this recipe: Arugula Pesto, Ricotta, and Smoked Mozzarella Pizza

This arugula pesto recipe is extra-cheesy, thanks to the addition of ricotta and smoked mozzarella. Spread over pizza dough and top with tomato slices for the perfect weeknight meal.

Ingredients: Ricotta, garlic cloves, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked mozzarella, arugula

Calories: 303 (with pizza)

Try this recipe: Whole Wheat Pasta with Spicy Tomato Pesto

Sun-dried tomatoes and sliced almonds give this pesto unexpected texture and a boost of flavor. Serve over this vegetable-rich pasta dish with Swiss chard that's the perfect entree to bring to a party.

Ingredients: Boiling water, sun-dried tomatoes, almonds, Parmesan cheese, basil, garlic cloves, salt, red pepper, extra-virgin olive oil

Try this recipe: Gnocchi with Walnut-Argula Pesto

This recipe calls for arugula instead of basil for a zesty kick. Pair with Italian potato dumplings for a delicious, filling, superfast meal.

Ingredients: Arugula, Parmesan cheese, walnuts, salt, black pepper, and olive oil

Calories: 358 (with gnocchi)

Try this recipe: Spaghetti With Ricotta and Pea Pesto

This recipe by Joe Bastianich, a restaurateur, winemaker, author, and judge on Fox’s MasterChef, is a genius way to use up the frozen peas in your freezer.

Ingredients: Frozen peas, pine nuts, Grana Padano cheese, fresh lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper, olive oil, reserved pesto, part-skim ricotta, mint leaves

Calories: 511 (with pasta)