Roasted Red Pepper Pesto

This quick and easy roasted red pepper pesto is packed with amazing flavor, healthy and done in under 5 minutes. It combines roasted red peppers with fresh basil, garlic and pine nuts. Perfect flavor-booster recipe for pasta dishes, sandwiches, grain bowls or to use as a delicious dip.

Prep Time5

Cook Time0

Total Time5

Course: condiment, Sauce

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dairy-free, gluten-free, healthy, pesto, plant-based, Vegan, vegetarian

Servings:

Calories: 257kcal

Author: Jessica Laroche

Equipment

Food processor

Ingredients

1½ cup fresh basil
¾ cup pine nuts can also use cashews
16 oz jarred roasted red pepper rinsed and patted dry
2 cloves of garlic peeled and roughly chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
salt to taste

Instructions

Rinse the jarred roasted red peppers in plenty of cold water and then pat dry very well so you don't add too much moisture to the pesto sauce. You can also roast red bell peppers yourself! Check out my vegan Mexican bowl to see how I do that.
Transfer the roasted red peppers to a food processor and add the pine nuts, chopped garlic and fresh basil. Pulse until broken down and mostly combined.
Then, use a spatula to scrape the walls and add some salt. Procees again while pouring the olive oil through the feed tube. It should become creamy and smooth. Keep processing until desired consistency.
Taste the pesto sauce and adjust the flavor to your preference. Serve with pasta, sandwiches, as a dip or over pizza. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Storage tips: keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Stir well before serving. Can also be frozen.
You can also toast the pine nuts before transferring them to the food processor for added flavor.
This is such a versatile recipe! You can add more to it, such as lemon juice, nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, spinach, etc. Check out the blog post for more ideas!
Nutrition: please note that the nutritional information is an estimate per serving provided for informational purposes only (calculated by software) and accuracy is not guaranteed. Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if you need precise nutrition calculations for health reasons.

Nutrition