Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta (Printable)

Vibrant pasta featuring sun-dried tomato pesto with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. A Mediterranean vegetarian classic.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)

→ Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

02 - 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained (reserve 2 tbsp oil)
03 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (or walnuts)
05 - 2 garlic cloves
06 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves
07 - 2 tbsp reserved sun-dried tomato oil
08 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
09 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
10 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ To Serve

11 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
12 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
02 - While the pasta cooks, combine sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, and basil in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
03 - Add the reserved sun-dried tomato oil, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. If the pesto is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
04 - Toss the drained pasta with the sun-dried tomato pesto in a large bowl, adding more pasta water if needed to create a silky sauce.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Rich and savory sun-dried tomato flavor in every bite.
  • A quick and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Simple, wholesome ingredients that bring Italian flair to your table.
02 -
  • Use the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar for an extra boost of concentrated tomato flavor.
  • Pulse the ingredients for a chunkier texture or blend longer for a completely smooth sauce.
  • Always check the labels of sun-dried tomatoes for sulfites if you have sensitivities.
Go Back