Welcome to your new go-to guide for effortless weeknight meals! When you’re short on time but craving something delicious and satisfying, these one-pan pesto dinners are the answer. Get ready to transform your evenings with minimal prep, easy cleanup, and a whole lot of flavor.
1. Classic Pesto Chicken and Veggie Bake
Effortless & Evergreen
This is the quintessential sheet-pan dinner. Juicy chicken breasts are baked to perfection alongside a colorful medley of your favorite vegetables, all tossed in vibrant pesto. It’s a complete, balanced meal that requires almost no effort, making it a true weeknight hero.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 4
- Ingredients & Instructions: Toss chicken breasts, broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, and chopped zucchini with pesto. Roast on a single sheet pan until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
2. Pesto Shrimp and Asparagus Delight
Quick, Light, and Elegant
In less than 20 minutes, you can have this elegant and light dinner on the table. Tender shrimp and crisp asparagus are a match made in heaven, and the pesto brings it all together with a punch of herby, garlicky flavor. This dish feels fancy but is deceptively simple.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Servings: 2
- Ingredients & Instructions: Toss shrimp and trimmed asparagus spears with pesto. Spread on a baking sheet and roast until the shrimp are pink and opaque. A squeeze of fresh lemon at the end brightens it up beautifully.
3. Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Burst Tomatoes
Pillowy Soft & Oh-So-Comforting
Get ready for a bowl of pure comfort. Soft potato gnocchi, creamy pesto sauce, and sweet cherry tomatoes that burst with flavor as they cook. It all comes together in one pan for a meal that feels indulgent but is surprisingly quick to make.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4
- Ingredients & Instructions: Sauté gnocchi in a large skillet until lightly golden. Add cherry tomatoes, pesto, and a splash of cream. Cook until the tomatoes begin to burst and the sauce is creamy and heated through.
4. Pesto Salmon and Broccoli Sheet Pan
Healthy & Flavorful
This has to be one of the healthiest and most flavorful meals you can make on a busy weeknight. Flaky salmon and tender broccoli florets are roasted to perfection with a generous coating of pesto. It’s packed with omega-3s and nutrients, and the flavor is simply divine.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 2
- Ingredients & Instructions: Place salmon fillets and broccoli florets on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, then spread a layer of pesto over the salmon and toss the broccoli in pesto. Bake until the salmon is flaky and the broccoli is tender.
5. Pesto Sausage, Peppers, and Onions
Hearty, Rustic, and Satisfying
A classic combination with a pesto twist! Savory Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, and tender onions are roasted together for a hearty and rustic meal. The pesto adds a fresh, herby note that complements the richness of the sausage perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4
- Ingredients & Instructions: Slice Italian sausage, bell peppers, and onions and toss with pesto on a large baking sheet. Roast until the sausage is browned and cooked through, and the peppers and onions are soft and caramelized.
6. Pesto Tortellini with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
A Taste of Italy in 15 Minutes
This one-pan wonder is like a trip to Italy in a bowl. Cheesy tortellini, wilted spinach, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes are tossed in a light pesto sauce for a meal that’s both quick and incredibly flavorful. It’s a restaurant-quality dish you can make at home in minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Servings: 3
- Ingredients & Instructions: Cook tortellini according to package directions. In the last few minutes of cooking, add spinach and sun-dried tomatoes to the same pot. Drain, and toss with pesto.
7. Pesto Chicken and Potatoes
A Hearty & Wholesome Classic
This is the ultimate one-pan comfort food. Tender chunks of chicken and hearty potatoes are roasted with pesto until golden and delicious. It’s a simple, wholesome meal that will satisfy the whole family.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 4
- Ingredients & Instructions: Toss cubed potatoes and chicken breast chunks with pesto. Roast on a baking sheet until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through.
8. Pesto Cod with Zucchini and Lemon
Light, Fresh, and Flaky
A light and healthy option that’s full of fresh flavors. Flaky cod fillets are baked with zucchini ribbons and a bright squeeze of lemon, all brought together with a touch of pesto. It’s a perfect meal for a warm evening.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 2
- Ingredients & Instructions: Place cod fillets on a baking sheet and top with pesto. Arrange zucchini ribbons around the fish and squeeze lemon juice over everything. Bake until the cod is flaky and the zucchini is tender.
9. Pesto Meatballs with Spaghetti Squash
A Low-Carb Twist on a Classic
Craving spaghetti and meatballs but want a lighter option? This is it. Savory pesto meatballs are baked alongside spaghetti squash for a low-carb, high-flavor meal. It’s a healthy and satisfying way to enjoy a classic.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Servings: 4
- Ingredients & Instructions: Halve and roast a spaghetti squash. In the same pan, bake pesto-infused meatballs until cooked through. Scrape the squash into strands and serve with the meatballs.
10. Pesto Halloumi with Bell Peppers and Red Onion
A Salty, Savory, and Vegetarian Delight
Salty, squeaky halloumi cheese is the star of this vegetarian one-pan meal. It’s pan-fried with sweet bell peppers and red onion, all tossed in a vibrant pesto. A drizzle of honey at the end balances the saltiness of the cheese perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 2
- Ingredients & Instructions: Pan-fry halloumi slices until golden brown. In the same pan, sauté sliced bell peppers and red onion until tender. Toss everything with pesto and a drizzle of honey.
11. Pesto Chickpea and Sweet Potato Bake
A Hearty & Healthy Vegan Option
This vegan one-pan meal is packed with flavor and nutrients. Hearty chickpeas and sweet potatoes are roasted with pesto until tender and caramelized. It’s a simple, satisfying, and completely plant-based dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4
- Ingredients & Instructions: Toss cubed sweet potatoes and chickpeas with pesto on a baking sheet. Roast until the sweet potatoes are tender and lightly browned.
12. Pesto Chicken and Orzo
A Creamy, Dreamy One-Pot Wonder
This one-pot meal is pure comfort in a bowl. Tender chicken and orzo pasta are cooked together in a creamy pesto sauce for a dish that’s both easy and incredibly satisfying. It’s a complete meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4
- Ingredients & Instructions: Sauté chicken chunks in a large pot. Add orzo, chicken broth, and pesto, and simmer until the orzo is cooked and the sauce is creamy.
13. Pesto Scallops with Corn and Bacon**
A Decadent and Delicious Treat
For a truly special weeknight meal, try these pesto scallops with corn and bacon. Sweet scallops, smoky bacon, and fresh corn are a winning combination, and the pesto adds a fresh, herby note. It’s a decadent dish that’s surprisingly easy to make.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 2
- Ingredients & Instructions: Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy. Sauté corn in the bacon drippings, then sear scallops in the same pan. Toss everything with pesto.
14. Pesto Steak and Green Beans
A Quick and Classy Steak Dinner
Enjoy a steak dinner any night of the week with this one-pan recipe. Juicy steak tips and crisp green beans are cooked together with a flavorful pesto sauce. It’s a quick, classy, and delicious way to get your steak fix.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 2
- Ingredients & Instructions: Sauté steak tips in a hot skillet until browned. Add green beans and pesto, and cook until the green beans are tender-crisp.
15. Pesto Tofu and Brussels Sprouts
A Crispy, Savory, and Vegan-Friendly Meal
Even meat-eaters will love this crispy and savory tofu and Brussels sprouts dish. The tofu gets a beautiful golden crust, and the Brussels sprouts become tender and caramelized. The pesto brings it all together for a satisfying and healthy vegan meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 2
- Ingredients & Instructions: Toss cubed tofu and halved Brussels sprouts with pesto on a baking sheet. Roast until the tofu is crispy and the Brussels sprouts are tender.
16. Pesto Pork Chops with Apples and Onions
A Sweet and Savory Combination
This one-pan meal is a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Tender pork chops are pan-seared and then cooked with sweet apples and onions in a light pesto sauce. It’s a unique and delicious dinner that’s perfect for a cozy night in.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 2
- Ingredients & Instructions: Sear pork chops in a skillet. Add sliced apples, onions, and pesto, and cook until the pork is cooked through and the apples are tender.
17. Pesto Mushroom and Kale Frittata
A Perfect Breakfast-for-Dinner
Who says pesto is just for dinner? This one-pan frittata is perfect for any meal of the day. Earthy mushrooms, hearty kale, and savory pesto are baked into a fluffy egg frittata. It’s a healthy, protein-packed, and delicious meal that’s ready in no time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4
- Ingredients & Instructions: Sauté mushrooms and kale in an oven-safe skillet. Whisk eggs with pesto and pour over the vegetables. Bake until the eggs are set.
Conclusion
With these 17 one-pan pesto dinners, you’re now armed with an arsenal of quick, easy, and delicious recipes to conquer your busiest weeknights. Say goodbye to takeout and hello to homemade meals that are both satisfying and stress-free. Happy cooking
