Are you sure , you want to stick with the Classical variation vs the Pirc defense? I mean there is nothing wrong with it, i play it my self ocassionally when i want a dull game but i know its not the most challenging one. The classical set up with h3 tends to be a positional character game where White avoids to challenge the center in most cases with an early e5 and instead invest on building developmnent. Now..you can be aggressive with e5 but is better to develop first with Bc4 and Qe2 so when the f6 knight retreat to push e6 and follow the attack, otherwise you build slowly Be3 first ( one of the reasons you play h3, is to be able play Be3) then a4 and dont rush with the light squre Bishop, since you played h3 placing him on e2 is solid enough but rather passive unless you play Qd2 and castle long. Most of the times your Bishop goes to d3 or c4 but e2 its okay.
This is a video from GM Mikhail Marin talking about how Black should deal with the positional lines in the classical set up. You can use it learning and understanding the other side.
Now if you want more aggressive ideas that put instand pressure on Blacks camp forget the Classical set up and play the Austrian attack. I already miss the days i was reading GM Bryan Smith articles and i dont understand why chess.com let this man walk away...
https://www.chess.com/article/view/lighting-the-pirc-defense-on-fire
In your position e5 is correct but you should had follow with 7.e6 forcing black to capture and then play 8.Ng5 and Bc4 intending castles and Re1 which cause problem in Blacks developmnent.
Again, I come to this structure/position, which I have such a difficult time dealing with.
Yes, white has more space, decent development, and certainly won't get destroyed barring a silly tactical mistake.
But what to do?
One idea is to go for c4+d5, which is the standard break hinted at. But if you notice in the position, that would require a ton of preparation.
Anyone have any suggestions for a good, challenging way to play this as white?
This was a game started a long time ago, and there were many mistakes in the middlegame by both sides. I can analyze those big mistakes myself, but I want to know about strategical ideas before the move I indicate in the above position^.