Rosso Pesto Pasta

Rosso pesto, or red pesto, is made with sundried tomatoes instead of only basil. I blend it with walnuts, fresh basil, chilli flakes, black pepper, olive oil and Parmesan.

It is tossed with fusilli and a little pasta water so the sauce turns silky, then topped with cherry tomatoes, green olives and more Parmesan.

Rosso Pesto Pasta

Quick Details
Serves: 2
Time: about 25 minutes
Diet: Vegetarian

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Ingredients

  

For the rosso pesto

• 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes in oil, drained
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup basil fresh
• 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes
• 2 teaspoons black pepper freshly ground
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup Parmesan grated
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/8 cup water

For the pasta

• 150 g fusilli
• 2 ladles pasta water
• 1/4 cup Parmesan grated, plus more to serve
• basil to garnish
• cherry tomatoes halved
• green olives

Instructions

 

• Make the pesto. Blend the sundried tomatoes, walnuts, basil, chilli flakes, black pepper, olive oil, Parmesan, salt and water.
• Cook the pasta. Boil the fusilli following the packet instructions. Save some pasta water and drain.
• Toss. Add the pasta to a pan with the pesto and 2 ladles of pasta water. Grate in the Parmesan and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Season. Check for salt and pepper and add the basil.
• Serve. Top with cherry tomatoes, green olives and more grated Parmesan. Serve hot.

Video

Keyword Rosso Pesto, Red Pesto Pasta, Sundried Tomato Pesto

Tips for the Best Rosso Pesto Pasta

• Use sundried tomatoes packed in oil. They blend smoother than dry ones.
• Save some pasta water. It helps the pesto coat the pasta evenly.
• Walnuts replace pine nuts here and work beautifully.
• Taste for salt at the end, since Parmesan and olives are salty.

Storage

Leftover pesto keeps in a jar in the fridge for up to a week. Cover the top with a little olive oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use another pasta shape?
Yes. Penne and spaghetti both work well.

Can I make it without cheese?
Yes. Add a few more walnuts for body.

Make this for a weeknight dinner and tell me how it turned out. Watch the recipe video on YouTube and follow @askdeepa_ on Instagram for more.