Heart-Healthy Tomato Pesto

Elevate your meals with this vibrant and nutritious Heart-Healthy Tomato Pesto, a fresh twist on the classic Italian favorite. Bursting with the natural sweetness of cherry tomatoes, the nutty richness of toasted almonds, and the aromatic punch of fresh basil, this recipe offers a wholesome alternative without sacrificing bold flavor. A drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, a splash of low-sodium vegetable broth, and a touch of nutritional yeast create a creamy, dairy-free blend that's perfect for pasta, grilled veggies, or whole-grain bread. With just 15 minutes of prep and cook time, this quick and easy pesto recipe is packed with heart-friendly ingredients and is low in sodium, making it a guilt-free indulgence you'll love to serve.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Cherry tomatoes
• 0.5 cups Raw almonds
• 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cups Extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Low-sodium vegetable broth
• 2 cloves Minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 0.25 teaspoons Ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

1. Preheat a small skillet over medium heat and lightly toast the raw almonds for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Step 2

2. In a blender or food processor, combine the cherry tomatoes, toasted almonds, fresh basil leaves, and minced garlic.

Step 3

3. Pulse the mixture a few times to begin breaking down the ingredients.

Step 4

4. Add the extra-virgin olive oil, low-sodium vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice to the blender or food processor.

Step 5

5. Blend until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. For a smoother pesto, blend longer; for a chunkier texture, pulse only a few more times.

Step 6

6. Season with ground black pepper to taste. Avoid adding salt to maintain the heart-healthy qualities of the pesto.

Step 7

7. Use the tomato pesto immediately as a sauce for whole-grain pasta, a topping for grilled vegetables, or a spread on whole-grain bread. Alternatively, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	505.6 grams (505.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1049

Total Fat 95.50g	122%
Saturated Fat 11.00g	55%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.70g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 168mg	7%
Total Carbohydrate 35.00g	13%
Dietary Fiber 15.20g	54%
Total Sugars 11.40g
Protein 24.30g	49%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 256mg	20%
Iron 5mg	29%
Potassium 1552mg	33%

*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: 78.4%

Protein: 8.9%

Carbs: 12.8%