Sun Dried Tomato Pesto (Pesto Rosso)

By Brianna Simmons · Published: September 14, 2021 · Updated: July 19, 2023

I am all about recipes that deliver maximum flavor with minimum effort. Enter sun dried tomato pesto. A few easy to find ingredients, a few minutes in the food processor and you’ve got a tasty and highly versatile sauce that’s far more than the sum of it’s parts. Once you discover how easy it is to make sun dried tomato pesto at home you’re bound to always have some on hand.

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What is Pesto Rosso?

Pesto Rosso, also known as pesto alla siciliana or pesto alla trapanese, is a Sicialian version of pesto from the province of Trapani. Traditional basil pesto (genovese pesto) is made with basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, olive oil, and salt. Pesto Rosso uses sun dried tomatoes in addition to the traditional pesto ingredients, usually with less basil as well.

Pesto Variations

Pesto is highly customizable to suite your taste. You can omit the cheese to make a vegan sun dried tomato pesto that’s just as delicious. Swap out the pine nuts for almonds or walnuts, or use spinach or arugula in place of the basil.

How to Use Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

Not only is sun dried tomato pest delicious and easy to make, it’s also quite versatile!

Use it in a sauce for pasta
add it to your morning eggs
use it as part of a cheese or charcuterie board
spread it on artisan bread
stuff chicken breasts with sun dried tomato and goat cheese
drizzle onto grilled steaks or shrimp
use as a gourmet pizza sauce

Ingredients for Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

Sun dried tomatoes packed in oil
Basil
Parmesan cheese
Pine nuts
Garlic
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Olive oil

How to Make Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

Sun dried tomato pesto is far more delicious than it deserves to be for how little effort you put in making it. First you’ll need (obviously) sun dried tomatoes. At the store you’ll find packages of dried sun dried tomatoes and ones in a jar packed in oil. Go for the jar of sun dried tomatoes packed in oil for this recipe. In a food processor add the sun dried tomatoes along with parmesan, pine nuts, basil, garlic, salt and pepper. Turn your food processor on and stream in the olive oil while the machine is running and blend until the pesto has emulsified and come together. After that you can serve it right away or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

If you like this Sun Dried Tomato Pesto be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!

Homemade Hot Honey

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Chicken and Chorizo Paella

Creamy Pasta with Asparagus and Mushrooms

Zucchini Puff Pastry Tart with Pesto Ricotta

Gougeres

Baked Brie with Hot Honey

If you make this Sun Dried Tomato Pesto please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!