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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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).
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.
Yes, just add to an airtight container and freeze for up to three months.
Add to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days.
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Let’s Make Sun Dried Tomato Pesto {Red Pesto}
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 + Notes
- 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).
Nutrition Information:
This recipe was orginally published in 2014, but was updated with new photos and tips in 2021.
Bob says
Did you forget the pine nuts?
Erren's Kitchen says
Hi Bob, this is my own slant on tomato pesto and I haven’t put the pine nuts in, and it still tastes amazing. I’m sure you can add some if you like 🙂
Dan says
Love this, I will never buy it in a jar again, the flavour is so much better made from scratch
Erren's Kitchen says
I’m glad you like it Dan 🙂
Krista says
What an awesome pesto recipe! I can’t wait to try this for pasta night!
Melanie Bauer says
Looks so delish! I really love quick and easy recipes like this, looking forward to trying this!
Erren's Kitchen says
Thank you, Melanie!
Beth Pierce says
Loved how easy this was to make! And so full of flavor!
Erren's Kitchen says
Thanks, Beth, it’s amazing how much you can do with the Pesto too!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
I really loved how easy this is to make!
Erren's Kitchen says
Thank’s Toni!
Taylor says
Love the addition of sun dried tomatoes! I love regular pesto, so definitely need to try this version out!
Erren's Kitchen says
they are all delicious aren’t they, Taylor!
Vik says
This looks like an amazing sauce! Glad I found this recipe 🙂
Erren's Kitchen says
That’s awesome to hear Vik, Thanks!
Suzie says
This was perfect ! Did it today, served with spaghetti. And tried your mozzarella and red pesto grilled sandwich… absolute heaven. 10/10
Erren says
Awesome Suzie! Thanks so much for letting me know! So glad you liked it! 🙂