Low Fat Roasted Red Pepper Pesto
Brighten up your meal prep with this flavorful and guilt-free Low Fat Roasted Red Pepper Pesto! Bursting with the smoky sweetness of roasted red peppers, the freshness of basil, and a zesty hint of lemon, this lighter twist on traditional pesto is perfect for health-conscious foodies. With just a dash of olive oil and the creaminess of Parmesan cheese, it delivers rich flavor without piling on the calories. Toasted pine nuts add a nutty depth, while garlic gives it a savory kick. Ready in just 10 minutes and made in a food processor, this versatile pesto is ideal for tossing with pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or drizzling over roasted veggies. A simple yet vibrant sauce that’s as nutritious as it is delicious!
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 2 cups Roasted red peppers
- 1 cup Basil leaves
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 whole Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Water
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Pine nuts
Directions
Step 1
Start by draining the roasted red peppers if they are stored in water or oil, and gently pat them dry with a paper towel.
Step 2
In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the pine nuts for about 3-4 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until they are golden and fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Set aside to cool.
Step 3
In a food processor or high-powered blender, combine the roasted red peppers, basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, and toasted pine nuts.
Step 4
Add the lemon juice, olive oil, water, salt, and ground black pepper to the mixture in the food processor.
Step 5
Pulse the mixture until all ingredients are finely chopped and well blended. You may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor a few times during the process to ensure even consistency.
Step 6
Continue blending until the mixture reaches your desired pesto consistency, whether you like it chunkier or smoother.
Step 7
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or lemon juice to suit your preference.
Step 8
Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. It's best consumed fresh but will keep for about a week.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (614.1g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 575.2 |
| Total Fat 45.8g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 9.2g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 8.5g | |
| Cholesterol 20mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1523.3mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 21.5g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 5.2g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 1.4g | |
| Protein 14.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 322.7mg | 0% |
| Iron 3.7mg | 0% |
| Potassium 885.8mg | 0% |
Source of Calories