Best 5 Spicy Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Recipes

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Sun-dried tomato pesto is a vibrant and flavorful sauce that can be used to add a pop of color and taste to a variety of dishes. Made from a combination of sun-dried tomatoes, basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, this versatile pesto can be used as a spread for sandwiches and wraps, a dip for vegetables and crackers, or a sauce for pasta and pizza. In addition to the classic sun-dried tomato pesto recipe, this article also includes variations such as roasted red pepper pesto, arugula pesto, and kale pesto, providing a range of options to suit different tastes and preferences. Whether you're a fan of spicy or mild, creamy or chunky, there's a pesto recipe in this article that's sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Let's cook with our recipes!

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO



Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto image

The best sun-dried tomato pesto.

Provided by MRS. CINDY SCHMIDT

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

Time 20m

Yield 40

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
¼ cup chopped pine nuts
3 tablespoons chopped onion
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
⅓ cup crushed tomatoes
¼ cup red wine
½ cup olive oil
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt to taste

Steps:

  • Place sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl and cover with warm water for 5 minutes, or until tender.
  • In a food processor or blender combine sun-dried tomatoes, basil, parsley, garlic, pine nuts and onion; process until well blended. Add vinegar, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes and red wine, and process. Stir in olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt to taste.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 44.1 calories, Carbohydrate 2.4 g, Cholesterol 0.9 mg, Fat 3.5 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 80.5 mg, Sugar 1.4 g

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO



Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto image

A homemade sun-dried tomato pesto recipe. Tomato pesto is the secret ingredient in my homemade minestrone soup. It's delicious mixed with warm pasta too!

Provided by Marzia | Little Spice Jar

Time 5m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
3 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoons salt + 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup basil leaves
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 pinch red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Blend all the ingredients in a food processor except the olive oil. Start the food processor and drizzle in the olive oil slowly while still mixing. Stop the machine, scrape down the sides, and adjust salt nad pepper to liking.
  • STORING: leftover pesto can be stored in a jar that has a tight fitting lid. Pesto can be refrigerated for up to one week. You can also place pesto into ice cube molds and frozen for up to 2 months.

PENNE WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO



Penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

12 ounces penne pasta
1 (8.5-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
2 garlic cloves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
  • Meanwhile, blend the sun-dried tomatoes and their oil, garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, and basil in a food processor and blend until the tomatoes are finely chopped. Transfer the tomato mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the Parmesan.
  • Add the pasta to the pesto and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper and serve.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO



Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto image

Turn a jar of sun-dried tomatoes into a flavorful spread that's delicious on pizza, pasta, crostini, and more. It takes just a few minutes to make.

Provided by Laurel Randolph

Categories     Lunch     Dinner     Appetizer     Condiment     Sauce

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (8 or 8.5-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil (about 1 cup drained and tightly packed)
1/4 to 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup toasted walnuts (roughly chopped)
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (tightly packed)
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
2 cloves garlic (peeled)
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (finely grated)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Heat an oven to 350 F. Spread out the walnuts on a small baking sheet and toast in the oven until fragrant, about 8 to 10 minutes; let cool completely.
  • Pour the reserved sun-dried tomato oil into a liquid measuring cup. Add enough olive oil to the sun-dried tomato oil to make 1/2 cup total.
  • Add the walnuts to a food processor and pulse a few times until coarsely chopped.
  • Add the sundried tomatoes, oil mixture, basil, Parmesan, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and red pepper flakes (if using).
  • Process until the desired consistency is reached, stopping to scrape down the sides once or twice. If needed, add more olive oil in a slow stream (up to 1/4 cup more). If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water to loosen the consistency.
  • Taste for seasoning and adjust, if necessary. Use immediately or store in the fridge.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 163 kcal, Carbohydrate 6 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 156 mg, Sugar 0 g, Fat 15 g, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

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.

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use sun-dried tomatoes that are packed in oil. If you use dry sun-dried tomatoes, be sure to soak them in hot water for 15 minutes before using.
  • If you don't have pine nuts on hand, you can substitute walnuts or almonds.
  • To make the pesto ahead of time, simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the pesto for up to 3 months.
  • To use the pesto, simply stir it into pasta, spread it on sandwiches or crackers, or use it as a marinade for chicken or fish.

Conclusion:

This spicy sun-dried tomato pesto is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's easy to make and can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later use. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy way to add some flavor to your meal, give this pesto a try.

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