Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto (Pesto Rosso in 5 Minutes)
Pesto rosso (Italian red pesto) is ready in five minutes! Instead of basil as the primary ingredient, we use sun-dried tomatoes. It gives this pesto a savory and rich sweetness that makes a simple bowl of pasta taste like something you ordered at your favorite Italian restaurant.
Servings: 10 ounces
Calories: 110kcal
Cost: $10
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces sun-dried tomatoes Look for sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil without herbs.
- ½ cup basil leaves
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese or vegan cheese alternative
- ¼ cup pine nuts*
- 2 garlic cloves
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prep: Open the jar and drain the sun-dried tomatoes. (Save some of the oil for extra flavor!)
- Combine: Add the sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, nuts and cheese (or vegan cheese) to the processor.
- Pulse: Once all the ingredients are in the food processor, pulse 3-5 times. The pesto will be chunky at this stage.
- Emulsify: Slowly stream in the olive oil while pulsing. This emulsifies the ingredients to create a creamy pesto. If you want a smoother pesto, you can add more olive oil in this stage. Once you're done, create a dried tomato pasta, bruschetta, pizza and so much more!
Notes
- Nuts: Walnuts and almonds are popular alternatives to pine nuts.
- Storing instructions: Place the pesto rosso in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. When chilled, the oils in the sauce will solidify. Bring it to room temperature before serving; it will be delicious and spreadable again.
- Freezing instructions: Place the pesto rosso in a small container or use an ice cube tray to freeze individual portions. Once frozen, place the cubes in a Ziploc bag or other airtight container.
Nutrition
Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 351mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 212IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 161mg | Iron: 6mg