Five easy things to do with pesto (beyond pasta)
Pesto is one of those ingredients most of us have in the fridge … and often only use one way. A quick stir through pasta, and that’s it. But a good pesto - whether it’s a classic basil, something with a bit of heat, or something more unusual like wild fennel - can do far more than that. It’s one of the easiest ways to add instant flavour to all sorts of simple meals. Here are five easy ways to use it, all ready in minutes.
1. Spoon it onto toast (and call it lunch)
Good bread, lightly toasted, with a generous spoon of pesto on top.
From there, you can keep it simple or add a little extra:
soft cheese or ricotta
sliced tomatoes
a few shavings of parmesan
The classic green basil pesto works beautifully here, but if you like a bit of heat, the Hot & Spicy Pepperoncino version lifts it into something with a bit more punch.
2. Stir it through warm new potatoes
This is one of the simplest things you can do - and surprisingly good.
Boil or steam some new potatoes, then while they’re still warm, toss them with a spoonful of pesto and a drizzle of olive oil.
The Sicilian wild fennel pesto is particularly good here - slightly different, slightly unexpected, and perfect with the sweetness of the potatoes.
Add some fish and a salad, and that’s lunch sorted.
3. Use it as a sandwich spread
Instead of butter or mayonnaise, spread pesto straight onto your bread.
It works brilliantly with:
mozzarella and tomato
grilled vegetables
cured meats
It adds flavour instantly, without needing lots of other ingredients.
And because it’s already well balanced — herbs, oil, salt, sometimes a bit of cheese — it does most of the work for you.
4. Finish a simple piece of fish or chicken
Cook something plain - a piece of chicken, a fillet of fish — then add pesto at the end.
No marinades, no complicated sauces.
Just a spoonful on top as it comes off the heat.
The basil pesto keeps it fresh and classic, while the pepperoncino version adds a gentle kick without overpowering the dish.
5. Swirl it into soups
A bowl of soup can go from simple to something much more interesting with just a spoonful of pesto stirred through or drizzled on top.
It works especially well with:
tomato soup
vegetable soups
bean-based soups
The warmth of the soup brings out the flavour of the pesto, and adds depth without any extra effort.
A small jar that does a lot
Pesto is one of those ingredients that earns its place in the fridge.
It’s quick, versatile, and a little goes a long way — which makes it perfect for busy days when you still want something that tastes good.
And once you start using it beyond pasta, you realise just how much it can do.
If you’d like to try something different, we have a few lovely options in the shop - from classic green basil pesto to Hot & Spicy Pepperoncino and Sicilian Wild Fennel. Pop in and we’ll help you find a new favourite.