Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce Recipe (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Vegan Sun Dried Tomato pesto sauce recipe or “Pesto Rosso: – the classic Italian condiment from Sicily made with sun dried tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, almonds or pine nuts and smooth extra virgin olive oil. Easy to make, fragrant, sweet and savory, garlicky and super delicious.

Jump to Recipe

Ahhh, the magic of a sauce coating some good noodles, a thick spread on a sandwich, pizza or drizzled over your favorite things. Irresistible!

What is Sun Dried Tomato Pesto?

Aka “Pesto Rosso” or a red pesto of Sicilian origin different from the Genoese pesto by the main ingredient: sun dried tomatoes versus basil. Nothing is set in stone when it comes to Italian cuisine however, and some cooks (like yours truly) prefer to add basil to a red pesto as well but not as the main ingredient. You’ll also find variations containing olives because Sicily has olive trees all over the place to that naturally makes sense.

Dinner doesn’t get much simpler than whipping up a pesto sauce to toss with some pasta, right?! If you have a small food processor and know how to boil water, you are legit!

What to serve with

  • tossed in a pasta salad
  • bruschetta
  • in a focaccia sandwich
  • vegan crusty bread
  • on thin crust pizza topped with vegan mozzarella.

Storage

Things packed in oil store well for quite some time. Keep the jar refrigerated until needed and remember to bring to room temperature before using it so the oil emulsifies and it’s easy to use.

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Variations

  • Different Nuts – Swap out the pine nuts for almond, walnuts even pistachios.
  • Balsamic – Go over the top by adding some balsamic vinegar reduction into the mix.
  • Make it WFPB – Make sure to start with plain sun dried tomatoes, (organic if possible) that are Not packed in oil. You’ll find them in a little pouch usually or in the bulk section at the market. Rehydrate those with hot water that you’ll save to use in place of the oil. You’ll get lots of flavor that way, however the final color won’t be quite as bright red as the classic version with oil.

P.S. If you make this recipe make sure to come back here to rate it, snap a photo and tag me with #VeggieSociety on Instagram, it always makes my day ~ Florentina Xo’s

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce Recipe (4)

5 from 1 vote

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce

Vegan Sun dried tomato pesto sauce recipe or “ Pesto Rosso “ - the classic Italian condiment made with sun dried tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts and smooth extra virgin olive oil. Instructions for the WFPB version included.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Soaking:20 minutes mins

Total Time:10 minutes mins

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Drain the tomatoes very well and add them to the bowl of a food processor together with the pine nuts, vegan parmesan, basil leaves, oregano, garlic and olive oil. Process until smooth to your liking. Add a splash of water or more olive oil if you need to stretch out the sauce a little. Season to taste with sea salt and store in a jar in the refrigerator.

WFPB Version:

  • To make this pesto 100% WFPB diet appropriate you’ll need to start with plain sun dried tomatoes (not packed in oil). Add them to a small bowl and cover with one cup of hot water. Soak for 20 minutes until the tomatoes are rehydrated. Strain and reserve the water.

  • Add the tomatoes with the rest of the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor (No Oil). Pour in some of the reserved water and process until smooth to your liking. Season to taste with sea salt and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 1145mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 12.6mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 4.1mg

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 293kcal

Author: Florentina

Plant-Based Sauces:

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is sun dried tomato pesto made of? ›

This quick, 6-ingredient sun dried tomato pesto is the perfect blend of sweet sun dried tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and olive oil. I love it tossed with rigatoni pasta and fresh mozzarella cheese.

Is sundried tomato paste the same as sundried tomato pesto? ›

There's a little difference between pesto and paste. Usually pesto recipes call for parmesan cheese and garlic, and their consistency is runny and more suitable for pasta recipes. Instead, paste recipes don't use cheese, the garlic is optional, and the consistency is more stiff and less runny.

What are the ingredients in Aldi sun dried tomato pesto? ›

Tomato Purée, Sunflower Seed Oil, Basil (11%), Sun-dried Tomato (4%) (Contains 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬), Red Pepper (4%) (Contains 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬), 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐍𝐮𝐭 (2%), Grana Padano Pdo Cheese (2%) (Grana Padano Cheese (𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤), Preservative: Lysozyme (𝐄𝐠𝐠)), Carrot, Pecorino Romano Pdo Cheese (1%) (𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤), Acidity Regulator: Lactic Acid; Pine ...

Can you use sun dried tomato pesto instead of sundried tomatoes? ›

Sure you can. But you'll need to be aware of the other flavors that come along with sun dried tomato pesto, like garlic, basil, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. And depending on what you're making, things like texture, structure, and cooking time may be altered.

What is the shelf life of sundried tomato pesto? ›

We recommend storing the Bella Sun Luci Pesto, Bruschetta, and Chipotle Sun Dried Tomato products in the refrigerator, once opened and use within ten days.

How long does sun dried tomato pesto last after opening? ›

Made according to an authentic Italian recipe, this wonderfully intense pesto captures the flavor of sun-dried tomatoes perfectly. Shake well before use. Once opened keep refrigerated and use within two weeks.

What can I use instead of sun dried tomato pesto? ›

1. Basil Pesto: Traditional basil pesto is a great option, made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. 2. Red Pepper Pesto: Roasted red pepper pesto offers a sweet and smoky alternative with red peppers, almonds, garlic, and olive oil.

Do sundried tomatoes in oil go bad? ›

Check the expiration date on a container of oil-packed tomatoes; it should be anywhere from one to two years. Sun-dried tomatoes stored in oil are shelf-stable until opened, but once you break the seal you'll need to store them in the refrigerator. There, they'll stay edible for up to six months.

Are sun-dried tomatoes just dehydrated tomatoes? ›

Essentially, yes. Both are dehydrated, just through different methods—one is left out in the sun and wind, and one is placed in a dehydrator. Both sap the water out of the tomato, leaving a more concentrated flavor. The traditional method requires a lot more work.

How is pesto so cheap? ›

As is the case with everything we buy from supermarkets, economies of scale and the quality and quantity of ingredients explain how they can sell products, including pesto, unfathomably cheaply. The process of making pesto on a commercial scale isn't too dissimilar from how you'd knock up a small batch at home.

Is supermarket pesto healthy? ›

After all, any sauce that contains high quantities of oil, nuts, and cheese can never hope to be found in the health-food aisle. However, despite its reputation, nutritionists agree that if consumed in moderation, pesto is healthy, and its benefits far outweigh the risks.

What's the difference between tomato pesto and pesto? ›

Tomato pesto differs from traditional basil pesto in that it incorporates ripe tomatoes as a primary ingredient, giving it a rich, tangy flavor. Traditional basil pesto, on the other hand, is made primarily with fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.

Is sun dried tomato pesto good for you? ›

Sun dried tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, which may help reduce the risk of some health conditions like certain cancers and age-related macular degeneration. Sun dried tomatoes are also a good source of: Vitamin C. Vitamin K.

Is sun dried tomato pesto good on pizza? ›

The mouth-watering umami of mushrooms, artichokes, sun-dried tomato pesto and more make this one truly incredible pizza. It's a delicious plant-based meal everyone is sure to love.

Why are sun-dried tomatoes so expensive? ›

Sun dried tomatoes are very labor intensive. This drives the cost of production up significantly. They need to be hand harvested and, after the drying process, they need to be peeled.

What can I use instead of sun-dried tomato pesto? ›

1. Basil Pesto: Traditional basil pesto is a great option, made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. 2. Red Pepper Pesto: Roasted red pepper pesto offers a sweet and smoky alternative with red peppers, almonds, garlic, and olive oil.

What is pesto made of? ›

Pesto, or pesto alla genovese, is a basil-based sauce that originated in Genoa, the capital of Liguria, Italy. Traditional pesto is made with basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, salt, and Parmesan (or another type of hard Italian cheese, such as Pecorino).

What is the difference between green pesto and tomato pesto? ›

What is the Difference Between Red Pesto and Green Pesto? Traditional green pesto includes lots of fresh basil, along with Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic and olive oil. Red pesto, on the other hand, is flavored with sun-dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lilliana Bartoletti

Last Updated:

Views: 6340

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lilliana Bartoletti

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 58866 Tricia Spurs, North Melvinberg, HI 91346-3774

Phone: +50616620367928

Job: Real-Estate Liaison

Hobby: Graffiti, Astronomy, Handball, Magic, Origami, Fashion, Foreign language learning

Introduction: My name is Lilliana Bartoletti, I am a adventurous, pleasant, shiny, beautiful, handsome, zealous, tasty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.