Pesto Potatoes

5 from 10 votes
12 Comments

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These Pesto Potatoes are such a simple and savory side dish! Tender potatoes, coated with flavorful pesto and roasted to crispy perfection.

Close up of Pesto Potatoes with a side of ranch in the background.
Featured with this Recipe
  1. Potatoes Roasted in Pesto Sauce
  2. Suggestions for the Perfect Pesto
  3. Ingredients in Pesto Potatoes
  4. To Roast or Grill?
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. What to Serve with Pesto Potatoes
  7. How to Make Pesto Potatoes
  8. Pesto Potatoes Recipe

Potatoes Roasted in Pesto Sauce

Pesto Potatoes are a fantastic side dish. Diced potatoes coated in pesto and roasted or grilled to perfection. So easy and packed with cheesy, nutty flavor! Pesto is so tasty on just about anything: pasta, sandwiches, chicken, veggies, and especially potatoes. If you haven’t used pesto much in cooking, you must try it! Whether you are looking to switch up your boring side-dish rut or trying to impress guests with your amazing culinary skills, these potatoes are for you!

Suggestions for the Perfect Pesto

Pesto originated in Genoa, Italy and is made with basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. You can make your own pesto or purchase it pre-made. Try our delicious homemade pesto recipe; it is my favorite! We use fresh basil, garlic, and pine nuts and the taste can’t be beat. But if you are short on time I have used a really great pre-made option at Costco in their refrigerated section. There are also dry mixes you can buy at the grocery store, but homemade is definitely the best in my opinion.

Ingredients in Pesto Potatoes

  • Russet Potatoes – red potatoes, baby potatoes, or Yukon gold potatoes also work really well
  • Pesto Sauce – we use our homemade basil pesto or get the big jar at Costco
  • Parmesan Cheese – this adds enough savor that no salt is necessary
  • Optional: Garnish with some parsley or fresh basil

To Roast or Grill?

  • Roasting: We usually throw these potatoes in the oven and roast them at 450 degrees for about 30 minutes. They’re crisp, tender inside and perfectly flavorful roasted potatoes.
  • Grilling: Sometimes in the summer, instead of cooking with the oven and heating up the house, we will just wrap these in foil and cook them over the grill. Just cook them over medium heat. They are ready to eat when you peel back some of the foil and potatoes are fork tender and break apart easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this recipe gluten free?

Yes! Just double check your pesto if you are using store bought.

Is it better to boil potatoes before roasting?

No, it is not necessary to boil them. But if you want them a little crisper, soak them in some cold water then pat them dry before roasting.

Why do you soak potatoes in water before roasting?

Soaking the potatoes in water for at least 30 minutes removes the starch giving the potatoes a more crisp outer layer as it cooks.

READ NEXT: Best BBQ Side Dishes

What to Serve with Pesto Potatoes

We like to make zesty potatoes to accompany when we are grilling up steaks or chicken. They are great on their own but we like to dip ours in sour cream or Ranch dressing. Try them with any of these delicious recipes:

How to Make Pesto Potatoes

Close up of Pesto Potatoes with a side of ranch in the background.

Pesto Potatoes

5 from 10 votes
These Pesto Potatoes are such a simple and savory side dish! Tender potatoes, coated with flavorful pesto and roasted to crispy perfection.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Scrub (but don’t peel) potatoes and cut into large cubes then place all the pieces in a large plastic bag. Add about ¾ cup pesto sauce to the bag and shake it around until the pesto is coating all the potato pieces.
  • Pour the contents of the bag out onto a cookie sheet. Arrange the potatoes so they are laying flat then sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
  • Bake at 450 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they begin to look lightly toasted.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 321kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 9gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 434mgPotassium: 896mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 690IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 176mgIron: 2mg

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About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Wow. This has become a favorite in our household. “Please make the Pesto potatoes” is often heard for Sunday dinners. So easy, so flavorful and and amazing. The trick of getting the cookie sheet hot first is fantastic! Thank you for this great recipe!

    1. We have never tried it that way so we can’t say for sure. If you try it out, let us know how it turns out!

  2. It would be great if you would encourage people to mix it all up in a bowl instead of using single use plastic to coat the potatoes ♻️????

  3. Are all these yummy recipes in your new cookbook? I’m spending a lot of time downloading recipes; maybe I should buy the book!