Toasted Walnut and Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

It’s surprisingly easy to make a pesto. Like, if you got a food processor and 10 minutes you’ll have glorious homemade pesto. Bam! Did I just blow your mind? Mine was when I made this.

I based this traditional pesto, but modified it into this Toasted Walnut and Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto recipe. No more boring, run-of-the-mill pesto. Now you get roasted, nutty, slightly tangy, and a bit savory pesto. Traditionally pesto is made of pine nuts, I love using it in my Salmon Pesto Pasta. These can be pricey, and almost any nut can be substituted for a differently flavored pesto. Toasted walnuts are my preferred alternative.

I’ve been apartment hunting all weekend and am so happy I finally found a place closer to my new work. With a busy schedule and not much time, a quick recipe like this is an ideal base for anything. Add it to pasta and chicken, be courageous and serve over baked fish, or make a healthy pesto sandwich or try it with my Steak Pesto Tortellini Pasta for a hearty meal. It’s so adaptable I even turned it into and another mind-blowing recipe…when you’re done checking out this recipe, be sure to look at our Avocado Pesto and Chicken Mexican Pizza.

Pesto requires a Cuisinart or food processor. You can also use one of those immersion hand blenders with processor attachment, or even a high-speed blender.

Toasting nuts is simple. Add them to a small pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 4–6 minutes, until lightly browned and fragrant. Be careful to not overcook, and be sure to remove them from the pan immediately, as the heat will continue to cook and burn them.

Enjoy a unique way to enjoy homemade pesto anytime with this Toasted Walnut and Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto recipe.

Food Science and Cooking Tips

The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a natural preservative and anti-oxidant. This critical ingredient adds flavor to the pesto and helps extend the shelf-life. You can store prepared pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1–2 weeks.

These toasted walnut and sun-dried tomato pesto is a flavorful and versatile sauce that can enhance in many dishes like: Grilled Chicken– use it as a marinade or topping for Grilled Chicken Breast. You can also drizzle it over grilled fish or serve as sauce over pan seared or Grilled Ribeye Steak.

Products used in this recipe:

Hamilton Beach Food Processor
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick 4-Quart Chef’s PanGlass Cover

More tomato and pesto recipes you might like:

• Pesto Garlic Rubbed Roasted Pork Sirloin
• Skillet Sausage Pesto Pizza Dip
• Sun Dried Tomato Black Bean Hummus
• Sun-dried Tomato Ricotta Crostini
• Steak Bruschetta with Goat Cheese and Tomato Jam

Toasted Walnut and Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Written by Matt | Plating Pixels

Toasted Walnut and Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto recipe. No more boring, run-of-the-mill pesto. Now you get roasted, nutty, slightly tangy, and a bit savory pesto.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Pesto

Cuisine American

Servings 3 cups

Calories 675 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 cups packed fresh basil leaves
• ½ cup olive oil
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup oven dried tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes in oil
• 1 cup toasted walnuts
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ⅛ teaspoons salt and pepper
• 2 large garlic cloves

Instructions

 

• Place basil leaves and olive oil in a food processor. Pulse until blended and completely combined. Basil leaves should be minced and mixture will still be thin.
• Scrape sides and add all other ingredients to food processor. Continue to pulse until ingredients are completely blended and combined (scraping sides between if necessary). You should end up with a thick pesto-like consistency.
• If needed: add more basil leaves to thicken or add more olive oil to thin.

Nutrition Facts

Toasted Walnut and Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Amount per Serving

Calories

675

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

67

g

103

%

Saturated Fat

 

10

g

63

%

Cholesterol

 

14

mg

5

%

Sodium

 

379

mg

16

%

Potassium

 

407

mg

12

%

Carbohydrates

 

10

g

3

%

Fiber

 

3

g

13

%

Sugar

 

1

g

1

%

Protein

 

13

g

26

%

Vitamin A

 

1530

IU

31

%

Vitamin C

 

18.6

mg

23

%

Calcium

 

273

mg

27

%

Iron

 

2.5

mg

14

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword easy pesto, easy tomato pesto, sun-dried tomato pesto

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