Pesto Rosso: Italian Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce with Almonds (60) 2026

Pesto rosso is the sun-dried tomato cousin of classic green pesto, and it brings a deep, sweet-savory punch to everything it touches. This traditional Italian sauce combines oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes with toasted pine nuts, fresh basil, garlic and Parmesan for a thick, spreadable condiment that tastes far more complex than its five ingredients suggest.

What makes this version special is how quickly it comes together: five minutes of prep and five minutes at the stove, and you have a jar of homemade pesto rosso ready to use. Toast the pine nuts until fragrant, blitz everything with short pulses for a slightly rustic texture, and adjust with a little oil from the tomato jar if needed.

Use it as a spread on crostini, stirred through pasta, layered in sandwiches or pizzas, or as a filling for chicken breasts. Once you try homemade pesto rosso, the jarred stuff rarely compares.

Ingredients for Pesto Rosso

Makes about 150 g, serving 4

• 25 g pine nuts
• 1 garlic clove
• 25 g Parmesan cheese
• 15 g fresh basil leaves
• 75 g oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

How to Make Pesto Rosso Step by Step

1. Toast the pine nuts

Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the 25 g of pine nuts for about 4 minutes, shaking the pan often, until they are lightly golden and fragrant. Transfer them to a plate and let them cool slightly before using.

2. Peel the garlic and grate the cheese

Peel the garlic clove and grate the 25 g of Parmesan cheese finely. Set both aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

3. Add all ingredients to the blender

Place the 15 g of washed fresh basil leaves, the toasted pine nuts, the garlic clove, the grated Parmesan and the 75 g of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes into a blender or food processor.

4. Blend

Pulse the mixture in short bursts until you get a homogeneous paste with a slightly coarse texture. If it seems too thick, add a little more oil from the sun-dried tomato jar to loosen it to a spreadable consistency.

5. Serve

The pesto rosso is ready to use right away. Serve it on canapés, spread on toast, or toss it with pasta for a quick meal.

Tips for the Best Pesto Rosso

Toast the pine nuts for depth

Toasting the pine nuts in a dry skillet is essential—it releases their oils and aromas, giving the pesto a noticeably richer flavor. Keep the heat at medium and stir constantly so they don't burn.

Customize the flavor

Feel free to tweak the pesto to your taste: add a pinch of ground cumin and dried oregano for a different twist, swap the pine nuts for walnuts to make it more economical, or toss in a few capers for a briny kick.

Choose quality ingredients

Parmesan is the classic choice, but Grana Padano is a more affordable alternative that still tastes great. For the tomatoes, jarred oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes are convenient, but you can also rehydrate dry sun-dried tomatoes in water for a few hours and add extra virgin olive oil to the mix.

30 Top Dishes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Much like me, you probably like having a rotation of fuss-free comfort dishes, well-known global plates, and desserts that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, I tend to reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And any time a fruity, cozy dessert sounds good, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

On mornings when I want something quick and on lighter days, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, I'm fond of making this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I switch between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crunchy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit fancier.

Come lunchtime cravings or a cozy evening meal, I'm quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Should I be after something more substantial, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

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And when drinks plus a whole spread are on the agenda for company, I'll typically serve dinner alongside this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. Then to fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes to Cook for Loved Ones

After years of trying and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the greatest dishes balance ease, dependable methods, and big flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the very ones I keep coming back to, time and again—whether I'm throwing together a fast meal just for me or putting on something memorable for friends and family.

For a sweet finish, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to whenever I want something elegant yet effortless. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe shows exactly how I make it at home.

Whenever something light and uncomplicated is what I'm craving, I reach for the familiar Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For fuller comfort meals, I'm quick to point to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm equally fond of passing along dishes rooted in tradition from across the globe, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the timeless Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that baked pasta classics can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying minus the gluten.

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