Best 4 Best Red Pesto Sauce Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

**Red Pesto Sauce: A Flavorful Culinary Delight**

In the realm of culinary creations, red pesto sauce stands out as a vibrant and flavorful masterpiece. This delectable condiment, crafted from a symphony of sun-ripened tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a touch of piquant chili peppers, offers a taste experience that is both bold and refreshing. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an enthusiastic home cook, preparing red pesto sauce from scratch is an endeavor that promises culinary rewards. This article presents a collection of meticulously curated red pesto sauce recipes, each offering unique variations to tantalize your taste buds. From the classic Genovese-inspired red pesto to innovative fusion creations, these recipes cater to diverse culinary preferences and skill levels. As you embark on this culinary journey, discover the versatility of red pesto sauce, exploring its myriad applications as a pasta sauce, marinade, or delectable dip. Prepare to elevate ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences with the vibrant flavors and aromas of homemade red pesto sauce.

Let's cook with our recipes!

SPICY RED PESTO PASTA



Spicy Red Pesto Pasta image

Today, pesto describes many sauces that don't necessarily adhere to the traditional formula of cheese, basil, nuts and olive oil. This red version, which is inspired by pesto alla Siciliana, the scarlet cousin of green pesto Genovese, leans on sun-dried tomatoes, nuts and tangy roasted red peppers and uses basil as a garnish only. Though pesto is traditionally pounded by hand, a food processor simplifies the effort. This pasta sauce is versatile: Crown it with lemon zest for brightness, or stir in heavy cream for extra richness. Should you find yourself with extra pesto, drizzle it over steak, slather it on sandwiches or serve it alongside a cheese board or crudités.

Provided by Alexa Weibel

Categories     dinner, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup drained jarred, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (about 3 1/2 ounces), roughly chopped
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (a scant 2 1/2 ounces)
3 tablespoons double-concentrated tomato paste (or 1/3 cup tomato paste)
3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/2 cup drained chopped, jarred roasted red peppers (about 4 ounces)
1 1/2 ounces finely grated Parmesan (about 1 packed cup), plus more for serving
1 pound rigatoni, orecchiette or other shaped pasta
Sliced fresh basil leaves, for serving
Fresh lemon zest, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare the pesto: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, tomato paste, garlic and red-pepper flakes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until mixture is toasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a bowl to let cool for a few minutes.
  • Add the roasted red peppers and Parmesan to a food processor. Top with the cooled tomato mixture and the remaining 2/3 cup olive oil, and pulse the mixture until you form a paste. (It makes 2 cups.)
  • Season the boiling water generously with salt, then add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  • Return the pasta to the pot, along with about 1 1/2 cups of the red pesto and 1 cup of the pasta water, and stir vigorously until the sauce is glossy and the pasta is evenly coated. Stir in additional pesto or pasta water to taste. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Divide among bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan and top with torn basil. Shave some fresh lemon zest on top, if using. Serve immediately.

EZ RED PESTO SAUCE



EZ Red Pesto Sauce image

Very easy and fast red pesto for your pasta or chicken dish that anyone can make. You can spice this up with Spanish pepper (just a little), if desired. You can substitute lime juice for the lemon juice, if desired.

Provided by wims recipes

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 ½ cups fresh basil leaves
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, or to taste
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
⅔ cup olive oil
½ cup pine nuts
1 clove garlic, minced
½ lemon, juiced
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Blend basil leaves, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, pine nuts, and garlic together in a blender until a smooth paste forms. Stir in lemon juice; season with salt and black pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 282 calories, Carbohydrate 5.2 g, Cholesterol 8.8 mg, Fat 27.2 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 6.9 g, SaturatedFat 5.1 g, Sodium 209.9 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

BEST RED PESTO SAUCE



Best Red Pesto Sauce image

This is a fantastic Pesto recipe, one that I make all the time....I usually make lots, and store in my freezer in icecube containers, so I have it ready to add to pasta recipes....when added to any tomato sauce, it seems to always taste better.

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Sauces

Time 20m

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 cup sun-dried tomato, drained and chopped
3 cups fresh basil leaves (loosely packed)
3 -4 cloves fresh garlic
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese or 1/2 cup romano cheese
1/2 cup pine nuts or 1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
black pepper

Steps:

  • In a food processor or blender, blend the tomatoes, basil and garlic.
  • Add the grated cheese, nuts and 1/4 cup olive oil; blend well.
  • Add the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, salt and pepper; blend well.
  • Store in the fridge, or separate evenly in icecube containers and freeze.
  • Use in pasta dishes.

BASIC PESTO SAUCE



Basic Pesto Sauce image

The key to making creamy pesto is to add the ingredients to the food processor in the right order to ensure that the nuts break down to a fine paste before the greens have a chance to turn brown. Use basic basil pesto as a pasta sauce, or thin it out with a little olive oil to drizzle it over steak, chicken, fish, pizza or tomato salad. The mint-pistachio variation is inspired by the chef Travis Lett, of Gjelina in Venice, Calif.

Provided by Samin Nosrat

Categories     quick, sauces and gravies, side dish

Time 20m

Yield 1 2/3 cups

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves
2 cups packed basil leaves (2 1/2 ounces/75 grams, from 1 big bunch or 2 small bunches)
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (3 ounces/85 grams)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste

Steps:

  • Pulse pine nuts in a food processor until they're completely broken down. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula from time to time. Add olive oil and garlic and pulse until garlic is finely chopped.
  • Chop basil very roughly - just run a knife through it once or twice to cut most of the leaves into halves or thirds - then add to food processor. Pulse, stopping every 15 seconds to push the leaves down with a rubber spatula, until basil is entirely worked into the oil. Pulse for another few seconds, and then stop to prevent turning the basil brown.
  • Pour pesto base into a bowl and add grated cheese and salt. Stir to combine, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Leave the sauce thick to toss with cooked pasta and a little pasta cooking water. To use the pesto as a garnish for grilled or roasted meats, fish and vegetables, thin it out with 2 to 3 more tablespoons olive oil until it's the consistency of a loose paste. To store leftovers, pour a little more olive oil over the pesto to cover. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 168, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 88 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams

Tips:

  • Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes for the best flavor.
  • Roast the tomatoes to concentrate their flavor and sweetness.
  • Use a variety of herbs in your pesto, such as basil, oregano, and thyme.
  • Add a handful of nuts or seeds to your pesto for a nutty flavor and texture.
  • Use a good quality olive oil in your pesto.
  • Store pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
  • Use pesto as a sauce for pasta, pizza, or grilled vegetables.
  • Add pesto to your favorite sandwich or wrap.
  • Use pesto as a marinade for chicken, fish, or tofu.
  • Stir pesto into soups and stews for a flavorful boost.

Conclusion:

Red pesto is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is easy to make and can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later use. With its vibrant color and bold flavor, red pesto is sure to add a touch of excitement to your next meal. Remember to use high-quality ingredients and experiment with different variations to create your own unique red pesto recipe.

Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »

    #30-minutes-or-less     #time-to-make     #course     #main-ingredient     #preparation     #sauces     #condiments-etc     #vegetables     #dietary     #high-calcium     #low-carb     #high-in-something     #low-in-something     #tomatoes     #number-of-servings

Related Topics