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Home / Mains

Red Tomato Pesto

Whip up flavorful homemade pesto in minutes using just a few ingredients. This herby Italian sauce is with anything from shellfish to pasta.

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

06/17/2025
5 from 21 votes
Jump to Recipe
Serves: 4
Prep: 5 minutes mins

a jar of red pesto with a spoon in it

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This simple and versatile recipe for Red Tomato Pesto makes a rich yet intense pesto that’s sure to become a new family favorite! The variations are endless!

a jar of red pesto from above
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What Is Red Pesto (Pesto Rosso)?

Pesto Rosso (which simply means Red Pesto in Italian) is a Sicilian Pesto that has a base of sun-dried tomatoes flavored with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese. It has a deep red color and sweet, tangy flavor.

a jar of red pesto with a spoon in it

What Is Red Pesto Made Of?

Typically, it’s made with a base of sundried tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, nuts, and parmesan cheese, but there are many variations out there to choose from.

This recipe is made without nuts and has the addition of parsley and red roasted peppers.

a photo of sun-dried tomatoes, basil, roasted red peppers, parsley, and a block of Parmesan cheese

How To Serve Sun-dried Tomato Pesto

There are so many uses for red pesto.  It can be used as a simple pasta sauce like with my Pasta with Pesto Sauce. Spread on a sandwich, or to add extra flavor to tomato soup.

The variations are endless, but one thing is for sure – this quick and easy pesto is really delicious and sure to be a hit with your family!

Choosing Sun dried Tomatoes

Choose jarred sundried tomatoes packed in oil, free from added herbs and spices.

If jarred are unavailable, you can use dry-packed by soaking them for 20 minutes in hot water. You’ll have to add your own olive oil (about a half cup should do).

What Cheese For Pesto

fresh grated Parmesan Cheese on a cutting board with a block of cheese next to it

Choose a hard, flavorful cheese such as Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, and Grana Padano.

How To Make Red Pesto From Scratch

Blend sun-dried tomatoes along with their oil, red roasted peppers, garlic, basil, Parmesan cheese, and parsley in a food processor until smooth.

a food processor bowl with the blended red pesto sauce.

Erren’s Top Tips

  • Wash the herbs well. You don’t want any grit in your pesto. Dry well before using.
  • For a lighter flavor, cut the amount of basil and add extra parsley instead.
  • When choosing sundried tomatoes and red roasted peppers, choose varieties without herbs or spices added to them, so you don’t affect the flavors in the recipe.
  • Some Parmesan cheese is quite salty, so taste before adding seasoning.
  • For a spicy kick, add crushed red pepper or jalapenos before blending.
  • For a more traditional pesto, add pine nuts or walnuts before blending (½ cup will do).

What does pesto mean in Italian?

Pesto in Italian is the word that refers to a raw sauce that is traditionally made using fresh herbs, garlic, pine nuts, hard Italian blended with olive oil.

Can You Freeze Red Pesto?

Yes, just add to an airtight container and freeze for up to three months.

How To store Pesto

Add to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days.

Rate This Recipe

Click here to leave a star rating!

a jar of red pesto with a spoon in it

Recipe

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto {Red Pesto}

Whip up flavorful homemade pesto in minutes using just a few ingredients. This herby Italian sauce is with anything from shellfish to pasta.
5 from 21 votes
Print
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Food Processor
Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 8 oz sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, undrained)
  • 1 roasted red pepper ((from a jar of whole roasted red peppers))
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • ½ cup fresh basil leaves (well packed)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves (well packed)
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • olive oil (as needed)
  • salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Blend the sun-dried tomatoes along with their oil, roasted red peppers, garlic, basil, parsley, and Parmesan cheese in a food processor and blend until it forms a thick paste adding extra olive oil until smooth. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed

Tips

  • Wash the herbs well. You don’t want any grit in your pesto. Dry well before using.
  • For a lighter flavor, cut the amount of basil and add extra parsley instead.
  • When choosing sundried tomatoes and red roasted peppers, choose varieties without herbs or spices added to them, so you don’t affect the flavors in the recipe.
  • Some Parmesan cheese is quite salty, so taste before adding seasoning.
  • For a more traditional pesto, add pine nuts or walnuts before blending (½ cup will do).
Show Nutrition Hide Nutrition

Nutrition

Calories: 55 | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 203mg | Potassium: 50mg | Vitamin A: 570IU | Vitamin C: 6.2mg | Calcium: 163mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Created by Erren Hart
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This recipe was orginally published in 2014, but was updated with new photos and tips in 2021.

5 from 21 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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27 responses

  1. Lindsey Simon
    09/11/2024

    This recipe was fantastic!

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      09/11/2024

      So happy you enjoyed it, Lindsey! Thank you for your feedback!

      Reply
  2. Shaheen Avatar
    Shaheen
    10/04/2023

    I recently tried making the homemade dried tomato pesto, and I must say it exceeded all my expectations. It was an absolute flavor explosion in every bite!

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      10/04/2023

      Thank you so much for trying this recipe and providing such wonderful feedback! I’m thrilled to hear that it exceeded your expectations and provided a flavorful explosion in every bite. It’s always fantastic when a recipe turns out so well. Happy cooking!

      Reply
  3. Orsi Avatar
    Orsi
    07/27/2023

    Simple and delicious!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      07/27/2023

      We’re pleased to know our recipe was a success! Thank you for your delightful feedback.

      Reply
  4. Mary Avatar
    Mary
    03/08/2023

    I love this recipe! its one my favorite pasta recipes. I spice mine up with red pepper flakes and shrimp. My family loves it so much.

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      03/09/2023

      Hi, Mary, I’m glad the recipe inspired you, and it turned out well with your modifications! Feel free to share your creations with us on social media, as it might give other readers some ideas for how they can tweak the recipe to suit their tastes.

      Reply
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