Heart-Healthy Red Pesto

Elevate your meal prep with this vibrant and flavorful Heart-Healthy Red Pesto, a nutritious twist on the classic Italian staple. Made with softened sun-dried tomatoes, protein-packed walnuts, fresh basil, and a zesty hint of lemon juice, this vegan-friendly pesto is bursting with bold, savory flavors. A touch of nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, umami depth without dairy, while red pepper flakes provide a gentle kick. Perfect as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, or dip, this quick and easy recipe comes together in just 15 minutes with zero cooking required. Packed with heart-healthy fats from extra virgin olive oil and walnuts, it's a guilt-free way to add gourmet flair to your meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 120 grams Sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil)
• 60 grams Walnuts
• 30 grams Fresh basil leaves
• 2 units Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a small bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for about 10 minutes to soften.

Step 2

Drain the sun-dried tomatoes and pat dry with a paper towel.

Step 3

In a food processor, combine the softened sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, fresh basil leaves, and garlic cloves. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped.

Step 4

Add the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, nutritional yeast, red pepper flakes, and black pepper to the food processor.

Step 5

Blend the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 6

Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding a pinch more black pepper or a squeeze more lemon juice as desired.

Step 7

Transfer the red pesto to a sealed container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Serve it as a spread, dip, or toss with your favorite whole grain pasta for a heart-healthy meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	317.7 grams (317.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1255

Total Fat 99.20g	127%
Saturated Fat 12.20g	61%
Polyunsaturated Fat 28.30g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 141mg	6%
Total Carbohydrate 84.50g	31%
Dietary Fiber 22.80g	81%
Total Sugars 47.60g
Protein 34.00g	68%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 255mg	20%
Iron 15mg	83%
Potassium 4782mg	102%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.3%

Protein: 10.0%

Carbs: 24.7%