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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Recipe Easy Homemade with Pine Nuts

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A creamy, luscious sun-dried tomato pesto with toasted pine nuts and cream cheese that delivers rich, balanced flavor and a satisfying texture. Perfect as a sauce, spread, or dip, ready in under 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup packed sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed or soaked dry-packed)
  • 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
  • 2 large garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. If using oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drain slightly but keep some oil for flavor. If dry-packed, soak in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain.
  3. In a food processor bowl, combine sun-dried tomatoes, cooled pine nuts, softened cream cheese, fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, and grated Parmesan cheese.
  4. Pulse 6-8 times to roughly chop and start mixing ingredients.
  5. With the processor running on low, slowly add extra virgin olive oil. Continue blending until pesto reaches a creamy but slightly textured consistency, about 30 seconds more. Scrape sides with a spatula if needed.
  6. Add fresh lemon juice, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Pulse a few more times to mix well.
  7. If pesto is too thick, add a teaspoon of water or more olive oil and blend again until desired texture is reached.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more lemon juice or Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning as burnt nuts spoil the flavor. Use softened cream cheese at room temperature for smooth blending. Add olive oil gradually to control pesto thickness. Store in an airtight container with a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent oxidation. Keeps up to 7 days refrigerated and freezes well for up to 3 months in small portions.

Nutrition

Keywords: sun-dried tomato pesto, creamy pesto, pine nuts, easy pesto recipe, homemade pesto, pesto sauce, Italian sauce, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/creamy-sun-dried-tomato-pesto-recipe-easy-homemade-with-pine-nuts/