50 delicious and healthy vegan recipes with pesto, including pasta, pizza, salad, soup, sandwiches, wraps, casseroles, bowls, bread and so much more! These unique pesto recipes will surely impress vegan, vegetarian and carnivore pesto lovers! Lots of gluten-free, kid-friendly and allergy-friendly options!
Who doesn’t love pesto with pasta? But did you know you can use it for salads, pizza, soups, sandwiches, casseroles and so much more! Here are 50 mouthwatering healthy vegan recipes that use pesto in an unconditional way.
Is Pesto Vegan Friendly?
Traditional and store-bought pesto contains Parmesan cheese, which is not suitable for vegetarians. Good news is that you can make your own vegan pesto that taste just as good as the original with these 5 simple ingredients:
- Fresh basil;
- Macadamia nuts;
- Garlic;
- Nutritional yeast;
- Olive oil.
The recipe comes together in a minute. All you need is to blend everything together adding a little water and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Make sure to check my vegan pesto recipe and you’ll never go back to the store-bought pesto! This pesto is hands down the best one I’ve ever tried.
Is Pesto Healthy?
Short answer: Yes, it is! All the ingredients used in vegan pesto are healthy and should be a part of a well-balanced diet. Long answer: I described the health benefits of pesto in detail in the above-mentioned vegetarian pesto recipe post.
You use any other leafy greens instead of basil to make your pesto extra nutritious and flavorful. Examples are wild garlic pesto and kale pesto that are both tasty and nutrient-dense.
What Goes Well with Pesto?
Pesto is perfect with pasta. But not only! Here are some of the ways you can use pesto to shake things up in the kitchen:
- Pizza;
- Salads;
- Soups;
- Casseroles;
- Bowls;
- Sandwiches;
- Wraps;
- Dips and spreads;
- Bread.
Check the recipes below for ideas and don’t forget to share which ones you like the most!
Vegan Pesto Pasta Recipes
Vegan Pesto Pasta with Beans and Sun-Dried Tomatoes by Happy Kitchen.Rocks
Creamy, delicious, healthy, satisfying vegan pesto pasta is the perfect marriage of comfort food and culinary art that comes together quickly and simply.
Cheesy Pesto Cauliflower Alfredo Pasta Sauce by Rainbow Nourishments
Healthy yet creamy alfredo pasta sauce packed with vegetables and with a hint of pesto! It’s low-fat, nut-free, super easy to make and packed with protein (thanks to the cauliflower)!
Creamy Thai Pesto Linguine by Choosing Chia
Creamy Thai pesto linguine is the perfect Asian Italian fusion that comes together quickly and easily!
Vegan Pizza Pasta Bake by Rainbow Nourishments
This vegan pizza pasta bake recipe is perfect for those who are craving a pizza night in but just don’t have the time to make their own dough. It’s easy, very family and kid friendly and so quick to make!
Creamy Avocado Pesto Zucchini Noodles with Burst Tomatoes by The Endless Meal
These Pesto Zucchini Noodles are covered in a delicious nut and dairy-free avocado pesto. It’s the perfect quick, easy and healthy weeknight meal.
More Vegan Pesto Pasta Recipes:
- Roasted Beet Noodles Over Quinoa with Parsley Pesto by Eating by Elaine
- Easy Spinach Pesto Pasta by Yup.. it’s vegan!
- Vegan Pesto Pasta Casserole by Stacey Homemaker
- Pesto Spaghetti with Vegan Meatballs (Chickpea Walnut balls) by Vegan Richa
- Green Pesto Pasta with Pistachios by Vibrant Plate
- Creamy Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free) by Strength & Sunshine
- Kale Pesto Shirataki Noodles {Vegan, Gluten Free} by Tasting Page
- Spinach Pesto Lasagna with Creamy Mushroom Sauce (Vegan) by Vegetarian Gastronomy
- 5-Ingredient Chickpea Pesto Pasta by Audrey Dunham
Vegan Pesto Pizza Recipes
Vegan Naan Pizza with Pesto and Sweet Potato by Shivani Loves Food
This easy vegan naan pizza recipe is a definite weekday favourite! Topped with vegan pesto, sweet potato, dairy-free cheese, red onion, spinach and walnuts.
Vegan Pesto Pizza with Balsamic Glaze by This Savory Vegan
Step up Pizza Friday with this Vegan Pesto Pizza with Balsamic Glaze. It is fresh, green and simple. Perfect pizza for Spring.
Chickpea Crust Pizza With Walnut Pesto by Choosing Chia
This chickpea crust pizza with walnut pesto is a great healthy grain-free option to satisfy your pizza craving. It’s also gluten-free and vegan!
More Vegan Pesto Pizza Recipes:
- Vegan Tomato Pesto Tart by Cilantro & Citronella
- Vegan Sweet Potato Pizza Bites (Gluten Free) by Sunnyside Hanne
- White Bean and Pesto Pizza by Contentedness Cooking
Vegan Pesto Salad Recipes
Oil-free Pesto Tomato Chickpea Salad by Vegan Yack Attack
Vegan, Oil-free Pesto Tomato Chickpea Salad, is a delicious, healthy way to use up Summer’s bounty of tomatoes and basil!
Easy Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad by Thyme & Love
This Easy Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad with corn and green beans is perfect for BBQs and potlucks!
Festive Pesto Pasta Salad by Rainbow Nourishments
This festive vegan pesto pasta salad with avocado and pomegranate seeds is perfect for your holiday menu!
More Vegan Pesto Salad Recipes:
- Vegan Broccoli Salad Recipe by Yummy Inspirations
- Chive Pesto Potato Salad Recipe by Veggie Society
- Vegan Pesto Quinoa Salad Recipe by Veggie Society
- Creamy Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad by A Virtual Vegan
- Creamy Pesto Potato Salad with Baby Corn (vegan) by Tinned Tomatoes
Vegan Pesto Sandwich and Wrap Recipes
Vegan Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Carrots & Flowers
Mega-easy vegan pesto grilled cheese. 5 ingredients + BIG FLAVOR. Marinated tomatoes and balsamic glaze elevate this simple sandwich into a gourmet treat.
Grilled Summer Vegetable Sandwiches with Pesto by Kitchen Treaty
This grilled summer vegetable sandwich with pesto makes a perfect summer lunch! Zucchini, summer squash, and red bell pepper doused in balsamic-thyme marinade, grilled to perfection, and then piled onto pesto-smeared artisan rolls.
Collard Greens Pesto Chickpea Salad Sandwiches by Yup.. it’s vegan!
These pesto chickpea sandwiches are a flavor explosion! Smashed chickpeas with 5-ingredient collard greens pesto spread onto whole grain bread with sprouts, tomatoes, and onion.
More Vegan Pesto Sandwich Recipes:
- Vegan Avocado Pesto Grilled Cheese by Nadia’s Healthy Kitchen
- Vegan Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Plant Power Couple
- Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Tortilla Rollups by Vegan in the Freezer
Vegan Pesto Dinner Recipes
Sweet Potato Beet Buddha Bowl with Pistachio Pesto by Plant Based Scotty
Health plus deliciousness equals this Sweet Potato Beet Buddha Bowl with Pistachio Pesto! Make eating enjoyable again by feeding your body the food it craves.
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup by Yummy Mummy Kitchen
This Instant Pot Minestrone recipe is quick, easy, hearty, and delicious. Serve your minestrone soup with a chunk of crusty bread for a warming Italian vegetarian dinner.
Roasted Baby Potatoes with Pesto by The Organic Kitchen
These roasted potatoes with pesto make a simple side dish with a vegan, dairy free, Whole 30 option!
More Vegan Pesto Dinner Recipes:
- Kale Pesto Burgers with Maple Dijon Spread (Gluten Free, Vegan) by From My Bowl
- Healthy Pesto Veggie Bowl by Orchids & Sweet Tea
- One Pot Lemon Asparagus Quinoa w/ Rocket Pesto (V,GF) by Vegan Family Recipes
- Pesto Spinach Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes by Stacey Homemaker
- Vegan Pesto Rice by Cadry’s Kitchen
- Pesto Brussels Sprouts with Sun-Dried Tomatoes By Veggies Save the Day
- Roasted Gnocchi with Vegan Almond Pesto by Cadry’s Kitchen
Other Vegan Pesto Recipes
Roasted Beet Hummus with Basil Pesto by Downshiftology
Beet hummus is made with oven roasted beets, chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. It’s a vibrant and healthy snack or appetizer and I’vetopped mine with homemade basil pesto and parsley. So much flavor!
Creamy Cauliflower Pesto Dip by Vegan Yack Attack
This Creamy Cauliflower Pesto Dip is oil-free, dairy-free, vegan and delicious! It makes for a great, healthy appetizer for parties, or just to snack on.
Vegan Tomato Tartlets with Spinach Pesto by Dianne’s Vegan Kitchen
Tomato Tartlets with Spinach Pesto are the perfect party treat. Your omnivore friends probably won’t even realize that they’re vegan!
- Wild Garlic Pesto Swirl Bread by Elephantastic Vegan
- Pesto Dinner Rolls (Vegan) by Sunny Side Hanne
- Vegan Arugula Pesto Pinwheels by Elephantastic Vegan
Which ones of these delicious vegan recipes with pesto did you like the most?
