Healthy Pesto Sauce Recipes

During the spring and early summer when garlic scapes are plentiful at farmers' markets and farmstands, this healthy garlic scape pesto recipe is a great way to enjoy their gorgeous garlicky flavor for weeks. Garlic scapes are the green, spiral-shaped sprouts that appear on the top of garlic plants in the spring. Regular garlic cloves can be used as a substitute for garlic scapes. Try the pesto with pasta, stir-fries, grilled fish, poultry or steaks or add it to scrambled eggs, soup or pasta sauces.

Since pesto is a “raw” sauce, the flavor of the olive oil is crucial to its success. Use the best first-cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil you can comfortably afford.

Replacing some of the oil used to make pesto with silken tofu yields a thick and creamy texture--and less fat.

In a twist on classic pesto, this healthy recipe uses less oil than a traditional basil pesto, includes tomatoes and subs almonds for pine nuts. Try it tossed with whole-wheat pasta or slathered over grilled chicken or fish.

Sweet beets, peppery arugula and toasted pecans are blended together in this dairy-free, healthy pesto recipe. Try it spread on crostini or spooned over grilled chicken or pork.

Try this delicious pesto on grilled fish or burgers.

Who says all pestos have to be made with basil and pine nuts? This nut- and garlic-free pesto recipe will prove that all pestos are not equal. Sweet peas, parsley, basil and mint are blended with Parmesan cheese and a mild shallot, resulting in a fresh, tasty sauce that can be served with vegetables or pasta, or even used as a sandwich spread.

Fresh chiles and lime juice give this herb-almond pesto a pleasant kick. Serve with baked tortilla chips or use to top burgers or fish.

This pesto highlights the basil and pine nuts first and melds them together with just the right amount of freshly grated cheese and extra-virgin olive oil. Try it instead of red sauce on pizza or tossed with warm pasta.

A cross between an enchilada sauce and mole, this pesto pairs well with grilled meat or vegetables.

With this easy tomato salad, more is more--so if you want, go wild with an outrageous selection of tomatoes. Look for big gnarly tomatoes, plum-shaped varieties, smooth or peach-fuzzed skins, zebra stripes, not to mention the miniatures at the summer farmers' market. All the visual variation means you'll get a range of flavors as well.

Try this quick, full-flavored sun-dried tomato pesto with roasted vegetables or as a sandwich spread.

Radicchio mellows from bitter to sweet when grilled in this healthy pesto recipe. Try it spooned over grilled chicken or steak, or stirred into your favorite pasta.

This basil and arugula pesto is ready in five minutes and perfect on bruschetta, sandwiches or pasta.

This versatile pesto can be tossed with pasta for a quick supper or spread on crostini for a sophisticated appetizer.