5 from 48 votes
Tomato Pesto (Sicilian Pesto)
Tomato Pesto, or Sicilian Pesto, combines roasted cherry tomatoes with toasted almonds, garlic, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil into a flavorful spread or sauce. It offers a slightly chunky texture and bright, savory taste, suitable for pasta, breads, or as a condiment that stands apart from traditional green pesto.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
8
Calories:
197 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 pint cherry tomato
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup almonds slivered
- 1 large clove garlic , peeled and smashed
- 1 cup basil packed leaves
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil. Arrange the tomatoes in a single layer, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and move them around with your hands to coat the tomatoes. Roast for 20 minutes, then set aside to cool.
- While the tomatoes roast, toast your almonds. Add them to a small skillet over medium-low heat and cook, tossing occasionally until golden brown (so they toast evenly) for about 5 minutes.
- Add the toasted almonds and the garlic to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the cooled roasted tomatoes (I use a slotted spoon or spatula so I don't get the roasting liquid), basil, Parmesan, and salt, and pulse well to combine, using a spatula on the sides of the food processor (this can be on the chunkier side if you prefer but I like mine pretty smooth). While the processor is running, drizzle the olive oil through the shoot until the mixture is emulsified and smooth.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- The recipe yields about 2 cups of pesto and keeps refrigerated for up to one week.
- Roasting the tomatoes adds sweetness and concentrates flavor critical to this pesto.
- Toast almonds evenly by stirring frequently to avoid burning and ensure a uniform nutty taste.
- Adjust the texture by pulsing less for chunkier pesto or longer for a smoother consistency.
Nutrition Information
Calories
197kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
5g
(2%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Trans Fat
0.001g
(0%)
Cholesterol
5mg
(2%)
Sodium
407mg
(17%)
Potassium
200mg
(4%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
502IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
14mg
(16%)
Calcium
86mg
(9%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 197
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 197kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 0.001g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 407mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 200mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 502IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 86mg | 9% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.