Life-Changing Tomato Pesto

Here’s a twist on classic pesto that’ll seriously upgrade anything it touches—meet the Life-Changing Tomato Pesto recipe! This vibrant, easy recipe has the perfect balance of fresh and savory—you’ll want to spread it on sandwiches, toss it with pasta, or drizzle it over roasted veggies! Completely Gluten-free. Nut-free + Dairy-free Option.

I’m a huge homemade pesto fan—I smear it on everything from garlic bread to pasta, grilled cheese, and beyond. But the other day, while making bruschetta loaded with fresh basil, it hit me: I need to create a tomato pesto. And y’all, it’s in the name—this is Life-Changing Tomato Pesto!

Ready in just 5 minutes with simple ingredients, it's packed with juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, toasted walnuts, and rich parmesan, creating a bold, nutty, and silky sauce. It's super fresh, herby + full of flavor, with the option to make it nut-free and dairy-free. With endless possibilities, this pesto is your go-to for everything from sauces and soups to salads, pizza, tacos, and beyond!

What Is Tomato Pesto?

Tomato pesto is a delicious twist on traditional pesto, which typically uses basil as the base. In this version, juicy tomatoes are combined with fresh basil, garlic, nuts, olive oil, and parmesan to create a bold, tangy sauce with a rich, nutty flavor.

What Makes This Life-Changing Tomato Pesto?

• It’s super quick + easy, ready in just 5 minutes with ingredients you probably already have!
• Fresh, vibrant, and packed with juicy tomatoes, basil, and that bold herby flavor we all love
• Bright + tangy, giving traditional pesto a fun, tomato-packed twist that’s seriously delicious!
• Downright DELICIOUS
• A perfect flavor melody that elevates all dishes!!

How To Make Homemade Caesar Dressing

You simply just toss all the ingredients into a food processor or blender and give it a good blend until everything’s nicely combined and broken down. If it’s a little too thick, don’t stress—just add a splash of water (about 1 tablespoon) to loosen it up. You’re aiming for that perfect “paste-like” consistency, the kind that’s easy to spread and ridiculously flavorful!

Ingredients

TOMATO PESTO:

• Cherry tomatoes. You can also sub with 2 cups of Herb Roasted Tomatoes for extra flavor.
• Extra virgin olive oil.
  Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
• Fresh basil leaves. The key ingredient.
• Walnuts. Toasted. Adds texture and a delicious nutty element.
• Garlic cloves. The savory strong taste we all love.
• Parmesan cheese. Strong umami pungent flavor. Sub for dairy-free parmesan or nutritional yeast if you're making a vegan version!
• Sea salt + black pepper. To taste.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS DISH!

Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Tomato Pesto recipe. Everything from my fave cast iron pans, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

How To Toast Walnuts?

To toast walnuts, start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the chopped walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven. Toast for 5-10 minutes, tossing them halfway through to ensure they brown evenly. Keep an eye on them, as they can go from perfectly toasted to burnt pretty quickly! Once they’re golden + fragrant, take them out and let them cool before using.

Can I Make Nut-free Tomato Pesto?

Yes, you can easily make a nut-free version of tomato pesto! Traditional pesto usually includes nuts like walnuts or pine nuts, but you can easily substitute them with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. These seeds still provide that lovely crunch and richness without the nuts, making it a perfect option for those with nut allergies.

Ways To Use Homemade Tomato Pesto?

This tomato pesto is super versatile and can be used in so many ways—here are a few of my favorites!

• Toss it with your favorite pasta
• Spread it on bread for an extra kick in grilled cheese, sandwiches + burgers!
• Use it as a base sauce for a fun twist on traditional pizza.
• Drizzle it over roasted veggies for a burst of flavor.
• Mix it into greens or use it as a dressing for a zesty salad.
• Add a spoonful to tacos for a savory, herby topping.
• Stir it into soups for added depth and richness.
• Serve it as a dip with crusty bread or crackers!

The possibilities are endless—get creative and spread that tomato pesto love!

Life-Changing Tomato Pesto Q + A's

Comforting Tomato Recipes To Try Next

This Life-Changing Tomato Pesto recipe is always a smash hit, so if you like this one, you will love these other tomato recipes!

• Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza
• Creamy Jumbo Shell Garlic Tomato Pasta
• Everything Chicken Tomato Grilled Cheese
• Spicy Vodka Rigatoni Pasta Bake
• Delicious Vegan Lasagna Soup
• The Best Vegan Meat Sauce + Gnocchi 

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Life-Changing Tomato Pesto recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

Life-Changing Tomato Pesto

November 13, 2024 •

By Shanika

No ratings yet

Here’s a twist on classic pesto that’ll seriously upgrade anything it touches—meet the Life-Changing Tomato Pesto recipe! It’s packed with juicy cherry tomatoes, basil, toasted walnuts, and rich parmesan, creating a bold, nutty, and silky sauce. This vibrant, easy recipe has the perfect balance of fresh and savory—you’ll want to spread it on sandwiches, toss it with pasta, or drizzle it over roasted veggies!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Serves: 8 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

TOMATO PESTO:

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, organic (You can also sub with 2 cups of Herb Roasted Tomatoes for extra flavor)
• ½ cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• ½ cup chopped walnuts, toasted (See Notes!)
• 2 garlic cloves
• ½ cup freshly-grated parmesan
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

TO MAKE THE TOMATO PESTO:

• Add all ingredients into a food processor or blender and process (or blend) until combined and broken down. NOTE: If needed, add a bit of water (1 Tbsp), if too thick. The pesto should be 'paste-like' in consistency.
• Serve in your favorite dish or sauce. Enjoy!
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Store leftover pesto in jars or airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week. Another way to store pesto is in the freezer (for about 6 months).
• OILS: Instead of using Extra Virgin Olive Oil, you can substitute with Grapeseed Oil, Avocado Oil, or Coconut Oil. 
• NUT-FREE OPTION: Traditionally, pesto contains nuts. However, you can substitute the walnuts or pine nuts in this recipe with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version. 
• TOASTED NUTS: Add chopped walnuts to a baking sheet and toasting them in the oven (400 degrees Fahrenheit) for 5-10 minutes, tossing them halfway to avoid browning on one side.

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 401mg | Potassium: 59mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 215IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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