Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

User Reviews

4.7

6 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    20 mins

  • Cook Time

    8 mins

  • Total Time

    28 mins

  • Calories

    241 kcal

  • Cuisine

    Italian

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

This sun-dried tomato pesto is a new way to utilize all those basil leaves you have! A classic pesto recipe with a delicious twist. Use this pesto for hot pasta, cold pasta salad, or as a spread!

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Ingredients

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

  • 3 cups basil fresh leaves
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
  • 4 cloves garlic (peeled)
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes divided, see note #1, in olive oil, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (see note #2)

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta (see note #3)

  • 1 pound rotini pasta (or pasta of choice)

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad (see note #4)

  • 1 pound rotini pasta (or pasta of choice)
  • 2 cups mozzarella balls
  • 2 cups arugula
  • 1/2 cup basil fresh leaves
  • 1 tablespoon pine nuts

Instructions

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

  1. In a food processor add: 3 cups fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, 1/4 cup pine nuts, 1/4 cup freshly grated parm, 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Pulse the ingredients until roughy chopped, use a spatula to get any ingredients stuck to the side.
  2. On low blend, slowly pour in the olive oil to the pesto ingredients. Once blended, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Add in the 1/4 cup roughly chopped sun-dried tomatoes and stir to combine into the pesto.
  3. Store in a sealed airtight jar/container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze in ice cube trays then transfer to a freezer bag or in small jars, which should last for 6 months. Defrost in fridge overnight or at room temp.

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

  1. Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil, cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/3 cup of pasta water and drain pasta.
  2. Add the pesto to the empty pasta pot and heat on low. Once heated, add in the pasta and toss to combine. You can use a few tbsp of pasta water to thin out the pesto. You may also use 3 tablespoons of heavy cream if you would like the sauce to be creamy.
  3. Serve with optional garnish parmesan cheese.

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad

  1. Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil, cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain pasta.
  2. In a large bowl add the pasta, pesto, mozzarella balls, and arugula. Toss until coated in the pesto.
  3. Refrigerate for 1 hour to cool down the ingredients. Prior to serving, garnish with fresh basil leaves and pine nuts. You may also drizzle olive oil.

Notes

  • Favorite sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil are the Trader Joe's brand. Added herbs for extra flavor
  • You can utilize a few spoons of the sun-dried tomato olive oil for extra flavor
  • If you want to use the pesto for a hot pasta, follow the "pesto pasta" directions
  • If you want to make a cold pasta salad with the pesto, follow the "pasta salad" directions
  • Nutrition information is for pesto only.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 241kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 7g (2%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 5g (29%) Monounsaturated Fat 13g (65%) Cholesterol 5mg (2%) Sodium 438mg (18%) Potassium 346mg (7%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 0.4g (1%) Vitamin A 1184IU (24%) Vitamin C 18mg (20%) Calcium 102mg (10%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 241 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 241kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g 29%
Monounsaturated Fat 13g 65%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 438mg 18%
Potassium 346mg 7%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 0.4g 1%
Vitamin A 1184IU 24%
Vitamin C 18mg 20%
Calcium 102mg 10%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

4.7

6 reviews
Excellent

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