Not Just for Pasta: Pesto and Beans UncategorizedBean Bulletin, Cooking Although it’s used most often with pasta, pesto is perfect with beans for a main dish that is packed with protein, fiber, and the best flavors of Mediterranean cuisine. Stir a few tablespoons of pesto into canned or freshly cooked beans and serve with a tossed salad and crusty bread for a fast summer meal. This pesto recipe from Bon Appetit used pine nuts, which are traditional in Italian pesto, but you can substitute walnuts if you like. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/best-pesto