This Roasted Red Pepper Pesto is a great alternative for classic green pesto! It’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners as it only takes 5 minutes to make. Mix with pasta or use instead of pizza sauce!
A few weeks ago I was searching for new products in our local supermarket and came across a jar with roasted red pepper pesto.
I grabbed it right away and was excited to try it as I had not heard of it before. One of the ingredients in that pesto was ricotta and because I had a container of it at home as well as roasted red peppers I knew I would be trying making it asap.
So I did. My first attempt was with ricotta and peppers only. It was nice but I figured that original pesto has nuts in it so I threw in some walnuts. To make this roasted red pepper pesto a bit more Italian I couldn’t help but add olive oil and Parmesan.
I bet this pesto would also be great as a dip. Serve it with Homemade Breadsticks to impress your guests!
It’s different from your Green Pesto but it’s definitely worth giving it a go! By the way, Arugula Pesto is also one of our favorites.
How to make roasted red pepper pesto
Take out your food processor and place all the ingredients in. Make sure to drain the juice from roasted pepper first and grate the parmesan.
Process this until all the ingredients are well combined and you are ready to serve.
What to serve roasted red pepper pesto with?
There are many ways to use this pesto in. To make a quick lunch or dinner, boil some pasta, add this pesto and top with more Parmesan. I like to use it instead of a pizza sauce or turn it into a dip.
Useful tips
- The amount of walnuts, oil and Parmesan can be easily adjusted to your liking.
- Check out how to make roasted peppers at home. It’s pretty easy!
- This roasted red pepper pesto can be stored in your fridge in a sealed jar for up to 3 days. Just note that it will thicken in the fridge.
Roasted Red Pepper Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 cup Ricotta (200 grams)
- ½ cup Roasted Red Peppers (120 grams)
- ½ cup Walnuts (50 grams)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup Parmesan (30 grams)
- Salt & Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a food processor combine ricotta, drained roasted red peppers, salt & pepper, walnuts, olive oil and grated parmesan. Process until well combined.
- Taste and add more seasoning or olive oil, if needed.
Notes
- This pesto can also be made with ricotta and roasted peppers only and seasoned to your taste. However, using walnuts, olive oil and parmesan is highly recommended.
- Serve with pasta or use for pizza instead of pizza sauce, spread over bruschetta, dip veggies in …
- Walnuts can be substituted with pine nuts.
- This recipe should yield enough pesto for 4 pasta servings.
Stephanie says
This sounds really good and I bet it would be wonderful with so many things. Can’t wait to try this.
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Yay! Great to hear that! :)
Karen says
I love roasted red peppers but I’ve never thought to put it in pesto. What a great idea! This would be so yummy on a grilled cheese…I’m getting hungry!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Mmm, grilled cheese…What a delicious idea!
Cindy says
I love love love basil pesto so I’m certain I’ll love this red pepper pesto. I love slathering it on burgers!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Hope you give it a go! :)
Elaine says
Oh my gosh, this looks so delicious! I would never have thought to put these ingredients together for a pesto! It looks so flavorful and I can’t wait to try it!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Thank you, Elaine!
Deanna says
This has to be awesome on pasta!! I love roasted peppers! I can not wait to try it!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
It’s delicious on pasta! :)
Che says
Many thanks for giving us a delicious recipe😊👍.
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
You are welcome! :)