Nikole Stewart
Making pasta at home doesn’t have to be stressful. And one sauce that you might have trouble getting right is pesto. Thankfully, there are several amazing store-bought pestos for an easy, stress-free dinner. All you have to do is heat it up, mix it with your noodles and protein, and serve. Keep reading to learn more about the best store-bought pestos.
6. Kirkland Signature Pesto
It might seem weird to see a Costco brand pesto on the list, but it really is worth it. While you’ll likely get a large jar, it’s still affordable, and it has a high-quality taste. It’s rich, cheesy, earthy, and luxurious. The pine nuts really shine through, along with the amazing balance of cheese, and it isn’t overloaded with garlic.
5. Buitoni Pesto
While most pesto sauces you get in jars on shelves, there are a few amazing store-bought pestos in the refrigerated section. One is the Buitoni pesto, which is a bit chunky yet creamy and thick. This is a great option if you want a spread for sandwiches or maybe on top of salmon.
4. Rao’s Pesto
Rao is a classic store-bought pesto and other sauce brand thanks to its great flavor and affordability. The brand started as a restaurant in New York but eventually started making prepared foods. If you’re looking for a starter pesto that is the perfect balance at a great price, this is the best option.
3. Rana Basil Pesto
Next on the list of best store-bought pestos is Rana’s basil pesto. The vibrant green and rich, luxurious taste is top-tier. But what makes this one stand out? If you’re a fan of cheese-forward pestos, then this is the perfect option. The herb and nut flavors are perfect with a cheese-heavy taste, making it crave-worthy.
2. Filippo Berio Classic Pesto
While Filippo Berrio started in the olive oil business, they quickly expanded, with one of those products now being pesto. Thanks to the fresh flavor from high-quality ingredients and affordability, this is a fan-favorite. The sauce is made with two different cheeses, along with pine nuts and cashews. The sauce has a rich flavor that’s hard to beat.
1. Gotham Greens Classic Pesto
Gotham Greens is a pre-packaged refrigerated pesto that takes the gold for being the best store-bought pesto. Made with pure ingredients including basil, olive oil, Parmesan, garlic, and pine nuts, the color and aroma are spot on with an amazing flavor. Thanks to their climate-controlled greenhouses around the country, you know you’re getting the highest-quality ingredients available.