Red Pesto Sauce (6-Ingredients!)
This simple and flavorful red pesto sauce is made with just 6-ingredients like sun dried tomatoes, garlic, nuts, and cheese, and makes the most delicious red pesto pasta. The simple sauce comes together easily in just 5-minutes, and can be used as a dip, tossed in pasta, or as a topping for chicken, fish and more.
Say Hello to This Deliciously Simple Red Pesto Recipe!
In my years of cooking as a habits expert, I’ve learned that a good sauce can completely transform a meal! And sauces do not need to be complicated in order to be good. I have a few sauces I always fall back on for easy meals and ways to elevate simple dishes (hello 3-ingredient pesto dressing, and 3-minute yogurt tahini sauce), and I’ve found pesto sauces in particular are great to have on hand because they’re super flavorful and incredibly versatile.
This pesto rosso, or red pesto sauce, is a delightful Sicilian-inspired sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, almonds, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. What I love about in particular about this one is that it uses shelf-stable ingredients like sun dried tomatoes that I usually have on hand – meaning a perfect last minute meal idea or sauce to elevate any dish, any time of year. I love serving this sauce with bread for dipping (YUM!), with fish, chicken or veggies, or in my easy red pesto pasta.
Welcome to My Kitchen! Let’s Make Sun Dried Tomato Red Pesto
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Sun dried tomatoes: I prefer tomatoes packed in olive oil, however you can use dried sun dried tomatoes that have been rehydrated.
- Almonds: You can use any nut you have on hand or prefer. I’ve tested it with pine nuts, cashews, or walnuts and all work. Use sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version.
- Extra virgin olive oil: I highly recommend using extra virgin olive oil since the olive oil is a pronounced flavor in this recipe.
- Parmesan: Try to use freshly grated parmesan if you can.
- Herbs: I tested a variety of herbs and found that 1 cup of basil or ¼ cup of rosemary worked really well.
Make it Gluten Free + Dairy Free
This recipe is naturally gluten free. For a dairy free version, use dairy free parmesan cheese.
This Recipe is…
Follow my step-by-step video:
Red Pesto Sauce (6-Ingredients!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup (about 1 [8.5 oz] jar) sun dried tomatoes in olive oil
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Optional Add Ins
- ¼-1 cup fresh herbs such as basil, rosemary, or oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Equipment
Instructions
- Add the sun dried tomatoes (along with the olive oil it’s packed with), almonds, garlic, and salt to a food processor.
- Pulse until a coarse paste forms.
- Continuing pulsing while slowly drizzling in the olive oil until the oil is incorporated.
- Add the parmesan cheese and pulse until just combined. Taste and adjust seasoning to taste.
- If adding fresh herbs and red pepper flakes, add in step one.
