This Roasted Red Pepper and Basil Pesto is bursting with flavour. You'll want to drizzle it on everything! Get the recipe below.
Pack a punch
Since we introduced the herb garden into our back yard we've been adding flavour to all sorts of dishes with a sprig or two of herbs. I was a little wary at first and worried that the herbs we'd bought from garden centres and supermarkets wouldn't survive in the "wild". I couldn't have been more wrong!
In fact, the basil we bought from Morrison's has gone CRAZY! We just can't pick the leaves fast enough. I didn't want it to go to waste and I thought about freezing cubes of basil in olive oil but that was too boring. Instead we had a rather large jar of roasted red peppers that needed using and an ageing chunk or Parmesan in the fridge so I decided to make a pesto.
With that combination of flavours I knew this pesto would really pack a punch.
Whizz it up
One of the best things about the recipe (beside it being made up of ingredients that I already had in the house) is that it is made in seconds using a blender. You simply chuck it all in and whizz it up! My piece of Parmesan was a little old and dry so I chucked that in first to get it going. Next I added the roasted red peppers, garlic, oil, a pinch of salt and a crack of black pepper. I checked the consistency and added a little more oil before finally adding the basil and pulsing. All in all it took probably 30 seconds to actually blend it all together.
By making the pesto in stages like I did you can make sure you get the pesto to the consistency you desire. I like mine quite thin so I can stir it through pasta, drizzle it over salads or spread it on to bruschetta but you may want yours a little thicker so add the oil slowly until you are happy.
The recipe
Roasted Red Pepper and Basil Pesto
Ingredients
- 100 g Parmesan cheese or vegetarian hard cheese
- 4 roasted red peppers from a jar
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 pinch salt
- 100 ml olive oil
- 2 handfuls basil leaves only
Instructions
- Place the cheese into a blend and blitz until grated into fine breadcrumbs.
- Add the red peppers, garlic, pepper, salt and half of the oil.
- Blitz on until a thin paste has formed.
- Add the rest of the oil to thin out if desired.
- Finally add the basil and pulse until finely chopped within the pesto.
- Store in steralized jars and use within a week.
Nutrition
More pesto recipes
Which is your favourite pesto recipe?
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I am totally drooling over this. Look at it, it looks awesome. Yummers! Lots of sharing done!
Emma Walton says
I'm glad you like it Jac 😀 I am all about super simple recipes atm. The less ingredients the better and the less washing up the better haha!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Oh and love the new header xx
Michelle | The Last Food Blog says
Yum! Love the idea of using roasted red peppers in pesto. It's so colourful and I bet it tastes amazing with pasta.
Emma Walton says
It really does! I've taken a small jar to work with my to stir through leftover pasta for lunches 🙂 it jazzes up even the simpelst of dishes!
Kate | Veggie Desserts says
Oooh what a yummy looking pesto! And a great way to use up basil.
Chris Mosler says
Wow! This looks incredible! So vibrant in colour and flavour and perfect for summer!
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
I absolutely love using fresh herbs, and having a thriving herb garden would be wonderful. This pesto sounds so delicious. I find pesto so useful, and so easy to make.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Helen! It really is super versatile.
Alyssa says
I love the idea of spreading this pesto onto bread & using it as a bruschetta!
Kristen M Chidsey says
I LOVE recipes that use what is on hand and made so easy with a push of a button on the blender. Plus roasted red peppers are always a winner!!
Emma Walton says
Aren't roasted red peppers the best?! I always make sure I have a jar in the cupboard 🙂
cookilicious says
wow that is such an innovative idea to use roasted red peppers to make pesto! Love it!
Nadia says
Ooo I've never thought of using red pepper in a pesto recipe! Must give it a go. I would love to have a herb garden in my balcony, but I haven't a clue how to look after them!
Emma Walton says
Definitely check out my post Nadia ( http://supperinthesuburbs.com/2017/06/07/create-your-own-kitchen-garden-part-3-herbs/ ). There are lots of tips for making sure they grow strong! Ours have gone wild despite being in pots so expect lots of herby recipes from me over the coming weeks!
Ceri Jones says
Wow, a wild ferocious basil plant seems like something I need in my life! Pesto looks gorgeous, lots of lovely flavours
Emma Walton says
All of our herbs have gone crazy! This weather is really helping them grow! Next week I'll be sharing an oregano based recipe...and probably the week after too!
Low Carb with Jennifer says
This looks so good and versatile! I would love to slather it on some chicken!
Emma Walton says
FANTASTIC idea Jennifer! That would taste DELICIOUS!
Jordan says
I love anything pesto, and roasted red peppers sound like a great addition--I never thought of that before! Definitely want to try this!
Emma Walton says
Do give it a go Jordan and let me know what you think 🙂
Christina Shoemaker says
This is such a fun twist on pesto! I love this!! And the color is gorgeous!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Christina. I'm a BIG fan of colourful food. I think it's a good indication it's going to taste AWESOME!
Janette - Culinary Ginger says
I love my fresh herbs for adding healthy fresh flavor to so many things. This sauce has 2 of my favorites, roasted red peppers and basil, looks delicious.
Emma Walton says
It's perfect for you then Janette 😀 enjoy!
Jill says
Pesto is my favorite thing to make in the summer. I love that you added roasted red peppers to it! I'll have to try that.
Emma Walton says
Hi Jill! Glad you like it! It's a rather fun twist on a classic! Just look at that bright red colour 😀
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
Mmmmm, Pesto in all it's creations is the best. This is the first year I've actually grown a herb garden too and I'm looking at these huge bushes of basil telling myself I must, I must, I MUST.... get cracking & whip up some Pesto. Your simple but Oh So Yumoosable Pesto here has got me going..... Today is the day. (Thanks for the nudge). Just found your blog Emma.... so I'm off to read more, I suspect I shall be back 🙂
Emma Walton says
Anna - loving your comment!!! So glad you've found me 😀 sounds like you DEFINITELY need to make some pesto - you can freeze it too you know! Perfect for a glut of basil 🙂
Anna Johnston says
Made the Pesto and it went over big time, had enough left over to freeze too!!
Emma Walton says
Woohoo! Glad it made more than you expected. You can't ever have too much of a good thing 😉
Dannii says
Roasted red pepper is one of my favourite simmer flavours and this pesto just screams summer. What a great colour too.
Emma Walton says
Doesn't it just 😀 I am putting it on everything at the minute!!!
Little B & Me says
I love the sound of this but would you be able to use a vegan alternative to the cheese?
I've recently found a lovely green vegan pesto but I would LOVE to try this one.
Gosh you've made me hungry
Emma Walton says
I can't say I've tried it myself but it's worth a go! The cheese really acts as a seasoning so I don't think it would affect consistency too much to use a vegan alternative.