Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Recipe with Almonds
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Recipe with Almonds is a bold Italian pesto made with sun-dried tomatoes, almonds, basil, garlic, and olive oil that comes together in minutes in the food processor and works as a quick homemade sauce, pantry-friendly recipe, and versatile spread. Simple Mediterranean ingredients create a savory sauce that can be tossed with pasta, spooned over grilled chicken, or spread onto sandwiches and crostini.
Servings: 8
Calories: 203kcal
Equipment
- Small skillet for toasting almonds
- Rubber spatula
- Storage container with lid
Ingredients
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil drained
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 to 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Place the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Add butter and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from the pan and let them cool.
- Add the toasted almonds, drained sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and garlic to a food processor. Pulse several times until everything is finely chopped.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue blending until the pesto becomes smooth but still slightly textured.
- Add salt and black pepper. If using Parmesan, pulse it in now. Taste the pesto and add lemon juice if you want extra brightness. Blend briefly to combine.
Notes
Cooking Notes
Drain the sun-dried tomatoes well before blending so the pesto stays balanced and not overly oily. Toasting the almonds adds deeper flavor and prevents the sauce from tasting flat.
Tips for Best Results
- Toast the almonds briefly in a skillet to deepen their flavor.
- Pulse the ingredients first before adding oil for better texture.
- Add lemon juice near the end to brighten the sauce naturally.
- Blend just until smooth so the pesto keeps some texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 272mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg
