Easy Pesto Rosso (Delicious Homemade Sun Dried Tomato Pesto)

Pesto Rosso is a sun-drenched twist on the classic basil pesto. This recipe combines sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and a mix of herbs and nuts, all blended into a rich, savory spread that promises to transform any dish from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether served as part of a charcuterie board or combined with pasta, this Pesto Rosso is sure to impress.

What is pesto rosso?

Pesto Rosso, or "red pesto," is a deliciously vibrant and flavorful sauce that originates from Italy. It's a delightful twist on the classic green pesto we all know and love. What sets Pesto Rosso apart is its base of sun-dried tomatoes, which give it a gorgeous red color and a slightly sweet, tangy flavor.

In addition to sun-dried tomatoes, Pesto Rosso typically includes ingredients like fresh or dried herbs like basil or oregano, nuts such as almonds or cashews, garlic, and olive oil. Some variations also incorporate Parmesan or another hard cheese, which adds a wonderful depth of flavor.

This versatile sauce is perfect for stirring through pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or dolloping on top of grilled chicken or fish. It's a great way to add a burst of Mediterranean flair to any dish!

Why you’ll love this pesto rosso recipe

This vibrant, sun-dried tomato basil sauce is a delightful twist on traditional pesto that can easily become your new go-to for a quick, flavorful meal.

Here’s why you’ll love it:

1. Bursting with Flavor: Pesto Rosso combines the rich, tangy taste of sun-dried tomatoes with fresh basil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Each spoonful is a bright and bold flavor explosion that will bring your dishes to life.

2. Versatile Kitchen Staple: Whether you're tossing it with pasta, spreading it on sandwiches, or dolloping it onto grilled chicken, this sauce is incredibly versatile. It’s perfect for shaking up your meal routine with something deliciously different.

3. Quick and Easy: On those busy nights when time is of the essence, Pesto Rosso is a lifesaver. It’s ready to go straight from the jar, helping you put a stunning meal on the table in just minutes.

4. Made with Quality Ingredients: DeLallo is known for their commitment to high-quality, authentic Italian ingredients, and their Pesto Rosso is no exception. You can feel good about what you’re serving, knowing it's crafted with the finest components.

The ingredients you will need to make pesto rosso

Sun-Dried Tomatoes. Sun-dried tomatoes are the most important ingredient for pesto rosso. They have a rich, savory taste that is both sweet and tangy. They add a deep, umami flavor to dishes, making them more complex and satisfying.

Roasted Cashews. Cashews bring a smooth, buttery texture and a slightly sweet flavor that complements the vibrant, tangy tomatoes beautifully. They're a fantastic alternative to the usual pine nuts, offering a creamier consistency that can make your pesto rosso even more indulgent.

Fresh Basil and Garlic. Basil, with its fresh and slightly sweet notes, complements the rich, sun-dried tomatoes beautifully, creating a perfect harmony between sweet and savory. Garlic adds a wonderful zing, giving the pesto a nice kick that enhances all the other flavors.

Parmesan Cheese. Parmesan, with its nutty and slightly salty profile, helps to balance the acidity while adding a creamy texture that makes the pesto smoother and more luxurious.

Balsamic Vinegar. The natural sweetness and acidity of balsamic vinegar can help to bind all the diverse flavors of pesto rosso together— from the sun-dried tomatoes to the Parmesan cheese, and the garlic to the basil.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Olive oil not only helps in blending all the ingredients smoothly, giving the pesto that lush, spreadable consistency, but it also enriches the overall taste. The oil carries the vibrant flavors of the sundried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and herbs beautifully, making each bite perfectly balanced and deliciously silky.

How to make pesto rosso

This recipe is super simple to make and comes together quickly thanks to using a mini chopper or food processor! Start by adding all of the ingredients except the olive oil to a mini chopper and pulse a few times to start to combine.

Add half of the oil and pulse to help break up the ingredients even more. Then, drizzle in the rest of the oil as the machine runs until you get to your desired texture. Be sure to scrape the sides down the container as needed.

Taste and add more acidity, salt, or heat as desired. Transfer to a bowl and serve. This can be used as an appetizer with crusty Italian bread, on a charcuterie board, or with pasta.

Top tips

Don't throw away the oil that the sun-dried tomatoes is packed in when you drain them. We like to save it to be used in other recipes or in a vinaigrette.

Store this sun-dried tomato pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can also freeze it easily. Freeze in a standard ice cube tray. Once frozen pop them out and store in a zip lock bag for up to a month.

Substitutions and additions

Add roasted red peppers. Not only do they bring a gorgeous, vibrant color to the dish, but they also add a sweet, smoky depth that complements the traditional flavors of the pesto beautifully. Roasted red peppers are soft and blend smoothly into the sauce, making your pesto rosso even creamier and more luxurious.

If you don’t have cashews, you can use almonds, pine nuts, walnuts or pecans. Just make sure the nuts are roasted before adding to the ingredients.

For a nut-free version, you can use sunflower or pumpkin seeds (these need to be roasted as well).

What to serve with pesto rosso

1. Pasta

You simply can’t go wrong pairing pesto rosso with pasta. Opt for shapes like penne, fusilli, or farfalle that really hold onto the sauce. Just toss the cooked pasta with your pesto rosso, and voila, you have a mouth-watering dish ready in minutes. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese and fresh basil on top for that extra touch!

2. Grilled Chicken or Fish

Marinade chicken breasts or your favorite fish fillets like salmon or sea bass with a bit of pesto rosso and some extra olive oil. Grill them to perfection. The robust flavors of the pesto beautifully complement the simplicity of grilled meats and fish.

3. Roasted Vegetables

Brush some pesto rosso over vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant, then roast them until they’re tender and slightly charred. It’s a healthy and flavorful side that pairs wonderfully with both meat and vegetarian main courses.

4. Bruschetta

Spread pesto rosso on toasted slices of baguette or ciabatta and top with slices of mozzarella and cherry tomatoes. Grill for a few minutes until the cheese melts. These make great starters or appetizers for a gathering!

5. Risotto

Stir some pesto rosso into your risotto at the last stage of cooking for a delightful twist on the Italian classic. It adds a brilliant burst of flavor and color that is sure to impress.

6. Sandwich Spread

Elevate your sandwiches or wraps by spreading a layer of pesto rosso on the bread or tortilla. Add grilled vegetables, cheese, and meats like chicken or prosciutto for a gourmet lunch treat.

7. Pizza Topping

Why not use pesto rosso as a pizza sauce? Top with mozzarella, fresh arugula, and prosciutto for a delicious homemade pizza night.

8. Salad Dressing

Mix pesto rosso with a little extra olive oil and vinegar to dress your salads. It’s particularly good with mixed greens, fresh mozzarella, olives, and cucumbers.

Pesto Rosso: FAQ

What does pesto rosso taste like?

The taste of Pesto Rosso is deep and somewhat intense, with a lovely balance of nutty, cheesy, and herby flavors, thanks to the basil leaves that are often included. It carries a nice garlicky punch and a subtle creaminess, which can be quite addictive! It's versatile too, perfect for stirring through pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or dolloping on top of grilled chicken.

What is the difference between pesto rosso and pesto?

• The difference between "pesto rosso" and traditional "pesto" mainly lies in their ingredients and color.

• Pesto is the green sauce that many of us are familiar with. It's traditionally made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, giving it a fresh, herby flavor that's perfect for pasta, sandwiches, and more.

• Pesto Rosso, which translates to "red pesto," swaps out some ingredients for a sun-dried tomato base, which gives it a lovely red color and a richer, slightly sweet and tangy flavor.

What is the difference between pesto rosso and pesto genovese?

Pesto Genovese, often simply called "pesto," hails from Genoa in the Liguria region of Northern Italy. It's probably the one you think of when you hear "pesto" — a bright green sauce that's fresh and aromatic. The traditional ingredients are basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan cheese), Pecorino cheese, olive oil, and a bit of salt. The ingredients are blended together, creating a sauce that's both creamy and rich, usually served with pasta, spread on sandwiches, or dolloped on soups.

Pesto Rosso, or "red pesto," is a sun-kissed cousin of Pesto Genovese. As mentioned above, it's primarily made with sun-dried tomatoes, giving it a deep red color and a sweet, tangy flavor.

Is pesto rosso spicy?

Pesto Rosso, also known as red pesto, typically isn't very spicy. While it has a rich, deep flavor thanks to the sun-dried tomatoes and a lovely tang from the cheese, it doesn’t usually pack heat. However, some recipes or store-bought versions might add a pinch of chili flakes or pepper to give it a little kick, but generally, it's more savory than spicy. So if you're not a fan of spicy food, pesto rosso is usually a safe choice!

Do Italians eat pesto rosso?

Italians do enjoy pesto rosso. It's quite versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta and pizzas to sandwiches and salads. Its vibrant color and robust flavor make it a favorite for adding a dash of Mediterranean flair to any meal.

Is pesto rosso vegan?

Pesto Rosso often features Parmesan cheese or another type of cheese, which means it isn't typically vegan. However, you can make it vegan by substituting the cheese with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese to keep that cheesy flavor without using any animal products. Delicious and totally plant-based.

Can I make pesto rosso ahead of time?

Yes, you can. Store this sun-dried tomato pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days or freeze in a standard ice cube tray. Once frozen, pop them out and store in a zip lock bag for up to a month.

Easy Pesto Rosso (Delicious Homemade Sun Dried Tomato Pesto)

• 1 cup DeLallo Sun-Dried Tomatoes (Optional: DeLallo Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Julienne Cut)
• 1/3 cup roasted cashews
• 1/4 cup fresh basil
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons DeLallo Parmesan Cheese
• 1 ½ teaspoons DeLallo Balsamic Vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
• ½ cup DeLallo Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

1. In a mini chopper or food processor, combine all of the ingredients except for the oil.
2. Add in half of the oil, pulse to break up the ingredients, and then drizzle in the rest of the oil as the machine runs until you get to your desired texture.
3. Scrape down the sides of the food processor container as needed.
4. Taste and add more acid/salt/heat as desired.
5. Transfer to a serving bowl.
6. Serve as an appetizer, on a charcuterie board, or with pasta.

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