Red Pepper Pesto
This easy Red Pepper Pesto is a rich, smoky, and sweet sauce perfect for enhancing a variety of dishes. Made with roasted red peppers, pine nuts, garlic, basil, and Parmesan cheese, it’s incredibly versatile and can be used as a pasta sauce, pizza topping, salad dressing, or a flavorful spread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Sauces & Dips
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Red Pepper Pesto Ingredients
- 16 oz jarred roasted red peppers
- 2 tbsp pine nuts
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 cup basil, chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Toast the pine nuts: Heat a medium skillet over medium-low heat, then add the pine nuts. Toast them for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned and emit a nutty aroma.
- Blend the pesto: Add the roasted red peppers, toasted pine nuts, garlic cloves, chopped basil, salt, black pepper, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and grated Parmesan cheese to a food processor. Blend on high speed for one minute, then scrape down the sides. Blend again for an additional 30 seconds or until the mixture becomes smooth.
- Store and serve: Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep fresh for up to one week. Use it on your favorite bread, pasta, pizza, or as desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Calories are per serving and are an estimation.
- Fresh roasted peppers offer a sweeter flavor compared to jarred.
- Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning them and to maximize their nutty flavor.
- This pesto can be frozen for longer storage.
Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/red-pepper-pesto/