Heart-Healthy Red Pesto
Elevate your meal prep with this vibrant and flavorful Heart-Healthy Red Pesto, a nutritious twist on the classic Italian staple. Made with softened sun-dried tomatoes, protein-packed walnuts, fresh basil, and a zesty hint of lemon juice, this vegan-friendly pesto is bursting with bold, savory flavors. A touch of nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, umami depth without dairy, while red pepper flakes provide a gentle kick. Perfect as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, or dip, this quick and easy recipe comes together in just 15 minutes with zero cooking required. Packed with heart-healthy fats from extra virgin olive oil and walnuts, it's a guilt-free way to add gourmet flair to your meals.
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Ingredients
- 120 grams Sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil)
- 60 grams Walnuts
- 30 grams Fresh basil leaves
- 2 units Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a small bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for about 10 minutes to soften.
Step 2
Drain the sun-dried tomatoes and pat dry with a paper towel.
Step 3
In a food processor, combine the softened sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, fresh basil leaves, and garlic cloves. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped.
Step 4
Add the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, nutritional yeast, red pepper flakes, and black pepper to the food processor.
Step 5
Blend the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Step 6
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding a pinch more black pepper or a squeeze more lemon juice as desired.
Step 7
Transfer the red pesto to a sealed container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Serve it as a spread, dip, or toss with your favorite whole grain pasta for a heart-healthy meal.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (317.7g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1255.0 |
| Total Fat 99.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 12.2g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 28.3g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 141.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 84.5g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 22.8g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 47.6g | |
| Protein 34.0g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 255.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 15.0mg | 0% |
| Potassium 4782.4mg | 0% |
Source of Calories