How to Make Costco Pesto Better? [Ultimate Tips & Tricks]
Costco pesto is tasty and affordable, so what’s not to love? That said, it can start to feel somehow monotonous after a while. So, if you’re like me and always looking for ways to switch up this versatile sauce, look no further! There are lots of ways you can use Costco pesto to level up your meals. So, how to make Costco pesto better?
To upgrade your Costco pesto, simply add sun-dried tomatoes, mix it with yogurt, make a sauce by adding avocado and basil, add crunchy pine nuts, or use it as a pizza sauce.
At the end of the day, you can upgrade this surprisingly versatile pesto in so many ways. The key is to experiment and find the flavor combos that work for you — the possibilities are almost endless. The next time you pick up a jar of Costco pesto, you’ll know exactly how to take it to the next level without a hassle. Bon appetit!
Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes
My first tip is to add sun-dried tomatoes. Sun-dried tomatoes are incredibly flavorful, adding a subtle sweetness to the pesto. They also bring a nice texture with their chewy, slightly crispy exterior.
To incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, start by chopping them up into small pieces. Then, add them to your pesto — you can mix them in or leave them on top as a garnish for added flavor and visual appeal.
The sun-dried tomatoes will bring a lovely flavor boost, giving an extra special punch.
Mix It With Yogurt
One of the easiest and most delicious tricks is to mix it with yogurt for a healthy twist on the classic sauce. This combination makes for an incredibly creamy and flavorful sauce that can easily be used in almost any recipe.
The yogurt helps to balance out some of the heavily garlicky flavors while adding freshness and creaminess that pairs perfectly with noodles or even as a dip!
If you’re looking for something even healthier, try adding some cooked lentils or beans to your yogurt and pesto mix. This will add an extra layer of protein and fiber that will keep you fuller for longer. [1]
For a vegan version, you can use vegan yogurt and swap out the parmesan cheese in the pesto with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.
Turn It Into a Creamy Sauce With Avocado and Basil
Another flavorful way to upgrade Costco Pesto is by turning it into a creamy sauce. All you need is one ripe avocado, some fresh basil, and a blender or food processor.
First, scoop the avocado into the blender, add two tablespoons of the pesto, and blend until smooth. You’ll need to scrape down the sides with a spoon occasionally to get all the ingredients incorporated.
Once you have your creamy base, add some chopped fresh basil — about ¼ cup should do the trick — and blend it until everything is combined and no chunks are left.
Now you have a delicious creamy pesto sauce that’s great for drizzling over salads, grain bowls, pasta dishes, or even roasted vegetables!
Add Pine Nuts for a Nutty Crunch
One of the simplest ways to improve my Costco Pesto is to add pine nuts. It may not seem like much, but pine nuts give the pesto a subtly nutty flavor and distinctive crunch, and it only takes seconds to prepare!
To add pine nuts to your pesto, start by heating a pan over medium-high heat, then add some oil and wait a few seconds until it simmers.
The next step includes adding 1/4 cup of pine nuts and occasionally stirring until lightly golden.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then add and stir the pine nuts into the prepared pesto, serve on your favorite pasta, or any other dish you usually serve it with, and enjoy!
This is my absolute favorite tweak — it gives my Costco Pesto a unique nutty flavor that isn’t too overpowering yet brings out all the other flavors for an amazing taste experience.
Use It as a Base for Pizza Sauce
Sometimes, the simplest tricks can make the most notable difference. This is already a delicious sauce that can be used on pasta, over chicken, as a dip — the list goes on. But if you’re looking for something to really elevate your meals, consider using it as a base for pizza sauce.
Sure, you can buy pre-made pizza sauces from any store, but why not make your own? With Costco pesto, this is surprisingly easy and does not require a lot of extra ingredients. Combine the pesto with a tablespoon or two of olive oil for extra flavor and spread it over your favorite pizza dough.
Using this pesto as pizza sauce gives you all the flavor you’d expect from traditional tomato-based sauces while still giving it that unique pesto flair. Plus, if you have any leftover sauce after making your pizza, you have a perfect accompaniment for breadsticks to dip in it!
Costco Pesto Improved
Ingredients
- ½ cup Costco Kirkland Signature Pesto
- ¼ cup Pine Nuts
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat, then add some oil.
- Wait a few seconds until it simmers.
- Add the pine nuts and occasionally stir until they are lightly golden.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Add and stir the pine nuts into the prepared pesto, and that's it!
- Serve your Costco pine nut pesto spread over some bruschetta or over your pasta and enjoy!
Nutrition
Before diving into the nutritional details, please review our Nutritional Disclaimer page for important context and clarifications.
