If you love Italian cuisine, odds are you’re a fan of pesto sauce. There are countless delicious Italian sauces out there, but it’s hard to compare to the deliciously herbal and nutty taste of pesto sauce. Pesto is always flavorful, but many pesto-lovers might wonder what to do to bring out its best flavors. Especially since all pesto recipes are fine-tuned to personal preference, choosing the pesto pairings is dependent on the flavors present. Pesto sauce can be used in countless Italian recipes, which might be overwhelming for those that are unsure how to use pesto sauce.
Pirro’s seeks to simplify the meal-making process without sacrificing delicious flavors, and we’re here to help inspire your next meal. Here are eight delicious ways to make pesto to instantly upgrade your Italian plates!
What Goes With Pesto?
Pirro’s is all about encouraging creativity in the kitchen. After all, every person has a different palette so we seek to provide you with the ingredients to develop delicious favors and cultivate cherished memories at the same time. When considering what goes best with pesto, there are definitely a few popular pairings we can recommend. First, let’s break down the different types of pesto available to give you a good idea of where to start.
Pesto Pomodoro
If you’re interested in a traditional pesto but want a sauce that’s a tad more hearty than a red pesto, Pesto Pomodoro might be the best choice. Using thick chunks of fresh Pomodoro tomatoes, this is one of the most delicious pesto adaptations. Some of the best uses of pesto Pomodoro include:
- Pasta
- Pizza Toppings
- Dipping Sauces
Pirro’s Pesto Pomodoro Sauce is made with a unique twist on traditional pesto recipes, using fresh Pomodoro tomatoes, onion, olive oil, basil, and rich parmesan cheese.
Traditional Green Pesto
Traditional pesto, also known as “pesto alla genovese”, is what might come to mind when first thinking of what you’d receive at an Italian restaurant. Green pesto is the classic combination of basil, pine nuts, parmesan, garlic, and olive oil. Traditional green pesto sauce pairs effortlessly with countless dishes and is especially used as:
- Pizza Topping
- Protein/Pasta Sauce
- Dressings
Red Pesto
Red pesto, also known as “pesto rosso”, is a popular variation on traditional green pesto that uses sun-dried tomatoes and includes the substitution of almonds for standard pine nuts. Forming a deep red color, it’s great for those that love tomatoey sauces but still want to taste all the herbal nuttiness of pesto. Red pesto can be added to a wide variety of recipes, but works best as:
- Breakfast Topping
- Pasta sauce
- Pizza sauce
Now that we’ve explored some of the different popular pairings, it’s time for the fun part: recipe ideas. If you’re ever lost on how to add delicious pesto into a delicious meal, have no fear, the Pirro family is here to help.
1. Nutty & Delicious Pesto Dipping Sauces
While pesto can be added to a bunch of different meals, it’s also delicious enough to hold its own. That’s why pesto sauce is a perfect dipping sauce for veggies, garlic bread, bruschetta, or whatever antipasti you’ve got in mind. Simply heat up the pesto to bring out the flavor of the basil and you’ll be dipping to your heart’s content in no time.
2. Delicious Pesto Protein Pairings
Are you craving a flavorful topping for a protein-centered plate? Pesto has got you covered! Add pesto sauce on top of chicken, fish, and red meats like steak and pork to instantly elevate the entire dish. Whether you add the pesto directly on top or marinade the meat with a pesto mixture, we promise pesto and meats are a perfect pair.
3. Flavorful Pesto Salad Dressings
When choosing salad dressings, you don’t want to have a bland dressing. Due to the delicious basil and olive oil found in pesto, it lends itself naturally to salad dressings. If you like a more viscous dressing, make sure to add a bit more olive oil to get the desired texture. Spice up any salad with the herbal nuttiness and flavorful cheesiness of pesto salad dressings.
4. Pesto-packed Bell Peppers
For those looking for a low-carb alternative to Italian pasta dishes, pesto stuffed bell peppers are a mouth-watering choice. Simply hollow out some peppers and stuff the peppers with a combination of pesto sauce, protein, veggies, and cheeses to taste. Once the peppers are baked to perfection, you’ll have an instant hit on your hands.
5. Delicious Pesto Sandwich Spreads
Everyone loves a good sandwich and considering pesto’s cheesy flavor profile, it’s no surprise that it can be a great condiment for sandwiches. Tomato and mozzarella sandwiches and parmesan chicken sandwiches are some of our personal suggestions but don’t worry about holding back when assembling your sandwich of choice.
6. Savory Pesto Pizza Sauce
Everyone has a favorite part of the pizza; whether that’s the cheese, crust, or sauce, it’s hard to not find someone with a strong opinion about preferred pizzas. For those that love sauce but might want to veer away from purely tomato-based pesto sauces, pizza sauce is another one of the most common uses for pesto sauce. Pairing effortlessly with countless pizza ingredients and toppings, it’s hard to go wrong with pesto sauce on pizzas.
7. Nutty Breakfast Pesto Pairing
While most people might think of pesto sauce as a dinner-time ingredient, Pirro’s love for pesto is a 24-hour obsession. Pesto sauce can be used in many breakfast dishes; as a spread under eggs and toast, as a delicious topping sauce for an omelet, and much more. Next time you rise and shine, don’t be afraid to add a touch of pesto to your mornings.
8. Delicious Pesto Filling or Stuffing
Pesto is often used as a thickening agent for stuffings or fillings that need a pop of delicious nutty and zesty flavors. Especially since it can be used as a marinade or easily mixed into cream cheese or greek yogurt, pesto-stuffed entrees have become super popular in recent years.
Use Pirro’s Pesto Pomodoro Sauce For Your Next Dinner!
Pesto goes perfectly with all kinds of pasta, salad dressings, pizzas, and much more. We’ve selected eight flavorful meals to help you elevate your pesto game, but feel free to experiment with different dishes to get your ideal meal. Pirro’s Pesto Pomodoro Sauce is developed with delicious versatility in mind, so it’s never been easier to create a mouth-watering meal regardless of what’s on the menu. Check out Pirro’s full selection of Italian sauces to make capturing authentic Italian flavors simple today!
