Don’t get us wrong, we adore Barefoot Contessa. But when Ina Garten says, “Store-bought stuff is okay,” I sometimes think, “Maybe…it’s not okay.” I wish I could waltz in Ina’s garden with Jeffrey or pick fresh vegetables for an al fresco dinner, but sometimes dinner just consists of a box of pasta, a jar of sauce, and a salad. Sometimes it looks like a bag. That’s really okay, guys! Southern Living Test Kitchen pros know that real life isn’t like Barefoot Contessa, and that often means using store-bought shortcuts like rotisserie chicken and refrigerated tortellini. To do. This collection of recipes makes the most of the simple jars of pesto available on the market. There are many delicious ways to dress up a jar of pasta sauce. These recipes use bright, tangy pesto to add color and flavor. These recipes using bottled pesto taste like they were made from scratch and are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Vanessa’s pre-made beef lasagna
Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas.Styling: Missy Neville Crawford
Recipe: Vanessa’s Make-Ahead Beef Lasagna
This may seem like a classic beef lasagna, but using a jar of pesto adds so much more flavor than a regular recipe. Combining ricotta and cottage cheese creates a cheesy, creamy layer. The best part about his recipe for this lasagna is that you can freeze the unbaked lasagna for up to 3 months. This is useful during the busy holiday season.
Creamy pesto and shrimp penne with peas
Antonis Achilles. Prop styling: Kathleen Varner.Food Styling: Tory Cox
Recipe: Creamy pesto and shrimp penne with peas
Pasta dinners are always easy, but this 5-ingredient, 25-minute recipe can be completed with your eyes closed (although we don’t necessarily recommend it). The shrimp cooks quickly and using a jar of refrigerated basil pesto (we like Bear Pond Farm Premium Basil Pesto in our test kitchen) saves time, so this is exactly the family dinner you need for your busy schedule .
creamy chicken alfredo casserole
Greg Dupree
Recipe: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Warm, cheesy, and super comforting, this is your go-to pasta dinner any time of the day. I added some chilled pesto to store-bought alfredo sauce for extra flavor. Using a rotisserie chicken, you can bake this hearty and delicious pasta much faster than cooking it yourself. All you need is a fresh green salad and a warm baguette to complete this family favorite meal.
Hearty beef and frozen vegetable soup
Greg Dupree
Recipe: Hearty Beef and Frozen Vegetable Soup
When the temperature starts to drop, there’s nothing like beef soup to warm you up from the inside out. We’ve combined convenient ingredients like frozen vegetables, pasta, and canned tomatoes to create a comforting and filling soup. What’s the secret ingredient that sets this apart from others? Just before serving, top with basil pesto for extra flavor.
Spinach and ravioli lasagna
SL Van Chaplin
Recipe: Spinach and ravioli lasagna
Lasagna and ravioli just don’t have enough flavor, so I created a recipe that combines them. Layers of cheesy ravioli, pesto, alfredo sauce, and fresh spinach create an incredibly indulgent (and meatless!) dinner the whole family will love. This recipe uses commercially available shortcuts, so it basically requires no effort from the chef.
chicken and fontina panini
Greg Dupree; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Recipe: Chicken and Fontina Panini
Crunchy on the outside and melty on the inside, paninis are a convenient and delicious way to make sandwiches for lunch or dinner. With just five ingredients, his sandwiches are easy and hearty, including store-bought favorites like refrigerated pesto and rotisserie chicken. It would be delicious served with homemade tomato soup.
Grilled chicken and vegetable tortellini
Beth Dreiling Hontzas
Recipe: Grilled chicken and vegetable tortellini
Bags of tortellini are one of the quickest and easiest ways to get a hearty, kid-friendly dinner on the table. Summer zucchini and tomatoes add a refreshing twist to dinners made with convenience items like frozen tortellini and refrigerated pesto. Grilling the chicken and zucchini adds a smoky flavor that you’ll love.
