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This aromatic Pesto Rosso recipe, also known as Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto, is easy to make and a must-have in every kitchen! It’s one of the most flavorful Italian pesto variations, perfect as a pasta sauce, dip, or sandwich spread.

pesto rosso in a bowl with a wooden spoon

There are many different types of pesto, and everyone has a favorite. For me, it’s definitely Pesto Rosso! Why? I love sun-dried tomatoes in all their forms, and I find them particularly delicious and convenient in pesto!

Sun-dried tomatoes are slowly dried in the sun, giving them a very intense and slightly sweet flavor. Perfect for adding that special touch to any dish!

Compared to the classic green basil pesto, I find Pesto Rosso to be a bit more intense and sweeter. It’s quick to prepare with just a few ingredients, keeps well in the fridge for a week, and can be used as a condiment in many recipes. Whether it’s used as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread (e.g., with grilled veggies and burrata), in wraps, on pizza, with hummus, on roasted vegetables, or simply as a dip with bread and veggie sticks.

sun-dried tomato pesto in a bowl with a wooden spoon

The best thing about homemade Pesto Rosso is knowing exactly what’s in it. No hidden additives, just pure, fresh ingredients. You can customize the sun-dried tomato pesto to your taste by adding more or less garlic, varying the types of nuts, or experimenting with different herbs. Plus, you can blend it as smooth or as chunky as you like.

If you love recipes with sun-dried tomatoes, you should try these creamy sun-dried tomato pasta, this Italian pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes, or arugula salad with sun-dried tomatoes!

A little tip: This Italian Pesto Variation also makes a great gift. Put it in a nice jar, tie a ribbon around it, and you have a personal and delicious gift for the next occasion.

Ingredients

See recipe card for quantities.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Always use olive oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for pesto. They are especially flavorful and easy to blend since they are very soft.
Oil: Here’s the trick! Use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes. Alternatively, you can use extra virgin olive oil.
Almonds: Give the pesto a great crunch and lots of flavor. Be sure to toast them first. I prefer almonds over pine nuts for red pesto, plus pine nuts can be very expensive – a win for your budget! 😉
Garlic: A must in pesto! Adds a mild spiciness. If you can’t tolerate raw garlic, you could sauté it briefly in some olive oil.
Balsamic Vinegar: A splash of acidity rounds out the flavor of the pesto.
Sugar: Just a pinch enhances the flavor. It’s optional though, it tastes great without it too. You can also use maple syrup.
Salt & Pepper: For seasoning.

Visual Step-by-Step Guide

Making Pesto Rosso is super easy! 😉

Toast the almonds in a non-stick pan without oil for 5 minutes until golden brown.
Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend into a fine pesto. → You can also use an immersion blender.
Season to taste with more salt, pepper, sugar, or olive oil.
Transfer to a clean jar, store in the fridge, and use as desired.

Aline’s Tip: Use the oil in which the sun-dried tomatoes are packed in to make the pesto. Why? Try the oil, and you’ll know! Since the tomatoes have been in the oil for a long time, the oil has taken on a wonderfully slightly sweet aroma of the tomatoes. Plus, it’s the best way to use up the oil – Zero Food Waste! 🙌

Variations

Nuts: Instead of almonds, use hazelnuts or walnuts. It also tastes great with pine nuts or cedar nuts (the cheaper option).
Fresh Herbs: Add a handful of fresh basil leaves or rosemary to the blender.
Red Pepper Flakes: For a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Cheese: If you like, you can mix in some finely grated Parmesan cheese or Pecorino cheese. I usually prepare it without cheese because it already has tons of flavor, making it a vegan Pesto Rosso! 😉

Storage Instructions

To keep your homemade pesto sauce fresh for as long as possible, you should store it in a clean jar (preferably rinsed briefly with boiling water), cover it with olive oil, and keep it in the refrigerator.

To make it last as long as possible, you should cover the pesto with more olive oil every time you use it. 😉 Alternatively, you can freeze it in small portions. Fill it in ice cube trays, once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag.

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📖 Recipe