Perfect Complements: 8 BEST Side Dishes to Serve with Pesto

It’s hard to go wrong with pesto.

This simple sauce is delicious and easy to make.

Pesto is a great way to add flavor to pasta, chicken, fish, or vegetables.

Pesto is made from fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil.

You can add other ingredients like tomatoes or spinach to change the flavor.

Pesto tastes great on its own, but it’s also delicious mixed into pasta or other dishes.

You can even spread it on a pizza instead of tomato sauce.

Making pesto is quick and easy if you have a good food processor.

Just put everything in the machine and pulse until everything is chopped up.

Be careful not to over-process, or the pesto will turn into a paste.

You can cook pesto in a variety of ways.

It’s great tossed with hot pasta, added to a grilled fish dish, or spooned over chicken breasts.

In this article, we’ll discuss eight of our favorite side dishes to serve with pesto.

What to Serve with Pesto? 8 BEST Side Dishes

Pesto sauce is a great addition to any meal.

When it comes to selecting side dishes, there are endless possibilities.

You can choose something classic like mashed potatoes or go for something more adventurous like pesto sauce.

If you’re looking for a flavorful side dish that will add a bit of excitement to your meal, pesto sauce is a great option.

It’s also very easy to make, so you can quickly prepare it before your guests arrive.

If you’re not sure how to incorporate pesto sauce into your meal, here are a few ideas for adding pesto to your dish:

1. Pesto Chicken Tart

Chicken is one of the most versatile meats. You can grill, broil, steam, sauté or boil it.

And pesto sauce goes just as well with chicken as it does on pasta.

Add this recipe to your meal rotation if you want something new and flavorful for dinner.

This tart is so easy to make.

You need a few simple ingredients, and you can have them on the table in no time.

The pesto chicken tart is perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

And it’s also great for entertaining.

Your guests will love this delicious and elegant dish.

2. Grilled Pesto Cheese Sandwich

Grilled cheese is a classic, and for a good reason.

It’s simple, tasty, and always a hit with kids and adults alike.

But sometimes, grilled cheese can get a little boring.

Why not add some pesto sauce to the mix? This will give your sandwich a delicious boost of flavor.

All you need is a few simple ingredients, some pesto, and your favorite bread.

You can also try different cheeses to see what pairs best with the sauce.

This grilled cheese sandwich takes less than 10 minutes to prepare, so it’s great for lunch or an easy dinner option on busy weeknights.

3. One-Pot Pesto Pasta

Pasta is always a popular choice for a side dish.

It’s simple to make, and it goes well with just about everything.

But sometimes you want something a little different than your usual pasta dish.

Why not try pesto pasta? This will add a delicious burst of flavor to your meal.

One of the best things about this dish is how easy it is to make.

Pesto pasta only requires a few ingredients and one pot, making it a quick and convenient weeknight meal.

And pesto sauce gives your pasta a vibrant green color, so you can serve something as beautiful as it is tasty.

4. Meatballs with Pesto Mashed Potato

Meatballs are always a popular choice for the main dish, but they can also make a great side dish.

Pesto mashed potatoes are the perfect pairing for meatballs.

The creamy potatoes with the zesty pesto sauce are a match made in heaven.

This dish is easy to make, perfect for a weeknight meal.

You can have it on the table in under 30 minutes.

And it’s a great way to use up any leftover mashed potatoes you might have.

Just add some pesto, and you’re good to go.

5. BBQ Pesto Chicken

If you’re looking for a new way to prepare chicken, why not try adding pesto sauce? It adds a ton of flavor with very little effort.

BBQ pesto is one of my favorite ways to eat chicken because it’s sweet and tangy, and it goes well with just about anything.

You need to grill the chicken and add some pesto sauce, and you’re good to go.

It’s a flavorful dish that takes very little time and effort, so it’s perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

And it can easily be made in advance — store the leftovers for a quick lunch or dinner option later in the week.

6. Baked Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes

If you’re looking for a healthy way to prepare chicken, try this baked pesto chicken dish.

It’s simple enough for a busy weekday meal yet elegant enough for entertaining.

This dish is a great way to use up any leftover pesto sauce you might have.

You can also use store-bought pesto if you’re short on time.

The roasted tomatoes add a delicious burst of flavor and sweetness to the dish.

And the chicken is cooked to perfection with crispy skin.

This baked pesto chicken is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables.

It’s also gluten-free and dairy-free, making it a great choice for those with dietary restrictions.

7. Pesto Grilled Vegetables

If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious side dish, look no further than pesto grilled vegetables.

This is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables, and the pesto sauce adds a delicious burst of flavor.

You can use any vegetables you like for this dish.

I like to use a mix of zucchini, squash, and bell peppers.

But you can use whatever is in season or your favorite vegetables.

The best part about this dish is that it’s easy to make.

You need to grill the vegetables and add some pesto sauce.

It only takes a few minutes, and you can have a healthy and delicious side dish ready to go.

8. Chicken Pesto Salad

Chicken salad is always a great choice for a quick and easy meal.

It’s satisfying and full of flavor, and it can be made in advance or easily customized.

Adding pesto sauce to your chicken salad adds a delicious burst of flavor and herbs that goes perfectly with the mayonnaise base.

It’s a great way to add a new twist to your usual chicken salad.

You can use whatever type of pesto sauce you like.

I like to use a mix of basil and parsley, but you can use whatever is your favorite.

This chicken pesto salad is perfect for a quick and easy meal.

You can make it in advance and keep it in the fridge.

It’s also gluten-free, making it great for anyone with dietary restrictions.

Conclusion

Pesto doesn’t just taste great on pasta — you can also use it to make a variety of delicious sides.

These dishes are all easy to make and take very little time.

They’re perfect for weeknight meals, but they can easily be made in advance or for entertaining guests.

When it comes to pesto, the possibilities are endless.

So go ahead and give one of these dishes a try. You won’t regret it.

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