Pesto—it’s an Italian staple that Americans have had a love affair with for decades. Traditionally served over pasta, there is so much you can do when you start with great pesto recipe.

Pesto is traditionally served on pasta.

Perfect for your next Italian-themed get together, here is a popular base recipe for pesto, accompanied by simple ways to turn the sauce into its own marinade, butter, and aioli.

Great cooking requires great tools. A couple of our favorites for this job are the Shred Emulsifier Blender and the Nanfang Brothers Santoku Knife.

Basic Pesto Recipe

Pesto is a staple of Italian cuisine. Image by Lyubov Kardakova via Pixabay

Ingredients

• ¼ lb basil, fresh, no stems
• 3 oz roasted garlic
• 3 oz Asiago cheese, shaved or grated
• 1 TBSP whole black pepper
• 1 TBSP kosher salt
• 2 cups oil, olive blend
• 2 oz walnuts
• 1 TBSP lemon juice (fresh squeezed preferred)

Directions

1. Remove stems from basil and weigh.
2. Rough chop basil and place in blender.
3. Add garlic, Asiago, salt, and pepper into a blender and grind up ingredients.
4. Once all ingredients are rough ground, slowly add oil.
5. As pesto begins to come together and thicken, slowly continue to add all oil.
6. Make sure all ingredients are fully incorporated and oil has become completely emulsified.

Basil is the base for a great pesto sauce. Photo by MetsikGarden via Pixabay

Use Pesto Recipe to Make Other Great Options

There are several great options you can make once you have your basic pesto. Here are a few suggestions.

Pesto Marinade

This is great for chicken, turkey, pork, beef, and other meats

Pesto is a great marinade for beef.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pesto
• 2 TBSP lemon juice
• 2 TBSP granulated sugar

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients.
2. Serve as a condiment for dishes.

Pesto Butter

This is great for grilled sandwiches

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter
• 2 TBSP pesto
• 1 TBSP garlic powder

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Add to sizzling meat or other dishes.

Pesto Aioli

Use this aioli in place of traditional mayonnaise.

Ingredients

• ½ cup mayo
• 2 TBSP pesto
• 1 TBSP lemon juice

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Serve on your favorite sandwich or burger.

Pesto Chicken Sandwich

One popular use for pesto that isn’t your traditional pasta, it is the pesto chicken sandwich. When creating your own, here are some pointers:

• For sliders, use 2 oz pieces of chicken breasts; for a whole sandwich, use a 6 oz portion.
• Coat chicken with Pesto Marinade and let sit in the refrigerator for 8 hrs.
• Cook the chicken in a hot sauté pan, barbecue or grill.
• Melt fresh Mozzarella on top of the chicken.
• Spread ¾ TBLS pesto butter on one side of each slice of bread or on the insides of your bun or baguette
• We recommend a pretzel bun or baguette–but can use any kind of sandwich bread (thicker bread preferred)
• Grill the bread (butter side down)
• Spread the Pesto Aioli over the inside of the sandwich
• Place the chicken and melted Mozzarella on the sandwich, top with fresh tomato (sprinkle tomato with salt and a light splash of extra virgin olive oil), butter lettuce, and the bread.

Enjoy!

Pesto Sandwich. Photo by Michelle Talsma Everson

We hope you enjoy these great pesto recipes contributed by Ephraim Gallor, director of operations for Full Plate Hospitality, a restaurant and bar consulting business based in Phoenix, Arizona. We have more great recipes for every occasion on Wander.