Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

Bursting with bold Mediterranean flavors, this Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto is a vibrant twist on the classic recipe, combining the rich, tangy sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes with the fresh, herbaceous aroma of basil. Enhanced by the nutty crunch of toasted pine nuts, a savory kick of Parmesan cheese, and a zesty splash of fresh lemon juice, this no-cook, 10-minute pesto is the ultimate time-saver for busy weeknights. Perfectly balanced with a robust drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a touch of garlic, it's a versatile condiment that pairs beautifully with pasta, grilled proteins, crusty bread, or even as a pizza base. This small-batch recipe is easy to make and stores well, delivering an irresistible punch of flavor for up to a week. Whether you're crafting a simple dinner or an elegant appetizer, this sun-dried tomato pesto promises to elevate your culinary creations.

Nutriscore Rating: 34/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup Sun-dried tomatoes (preserved in oil)
• 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 0.25 cup Pine nuts
• 2 whole Garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Drain the sun-dried tomatoes if they are heavily soaked in oil, reserving about 1 tablespoon of the oil for blending.

Step 2

In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a food processor, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, and garlic cloves.

Step 4

Pulse the mixture a few times to break down the ingredients into a coarse paste.

Step 5

With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and reserved oil from the sun-dried tomatoes. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth but slightly textured.

Step 6

Add the salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Pulse a few more times to combine and adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 7

Transfer the pesto to a jar or airtight container. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(178.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1202.5

Total Fat 135.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.5g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1181.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 7.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.1g	0%
Total Sugars 1.2g
Protein 5.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 41.0mg	0%
Iron 2.6mg	0%
Potassium 289.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 96.0%

Protein: 1.8%

Carbs: 2.2%