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*
- ½ cup packed cups fresh 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. For a smoother pesto, add more olive oil. Once you're done, use it for sun-dried tomato pasta, bruschetta, pizza, and so much more!
Notes
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Look for sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil without herbs added. I do not recomend using the dehydrated sun-dried tomatoes.
- Nuts: Walnuts and almonds are popular alternatives to pine nuts.
- Storage instructions: Place the pesto rosso in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. When chilled, the sauce's oils will solidify. Bring it to room temperature before serving; it will be delicious and spreadable again.
- Freezing instructions: Freeze pesto rosso in a small container or 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