Roasted Tomato Pesto

The concentrated sweetness of slow-roasted tomatoes balanced with savory thyme and a touch of red-wine vinegar makes this healthy pesto recipe a must-try for any tomato lover. Try it in place of tomato sauce on your next pizza or as a “secret” ingredient in your next lasagna.

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Cook Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
2 hrs 10 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
16
Yield:
1 cup

Ingredients

  • 1 ⅔ pounds medium plum tomatoes (6 to 8), halved and seeded

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided

  • 3 tablespoons finely shredded Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

  • 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted (see Tip)

  • 1 ½ teaspoons fresh thyme

  • 1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar

  • 1 small clove garlic

  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

  2. Place tomatoes cut-side up on a baking sheet; drizzle with oil and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Roast until shriveled and brown on the bottom, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.

  3. Once cooled, place the tomatoes and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a food processor; add cheese, pine nuts, thyme, vinegar, garlic and pepper. Pulse until well combined, scraping down the sides once or twice.

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze in an ice cube tray. Transfer frozen cubes to a sealable plastic bag. Defrost as needed.

For the best flavor, toast nuts and seeds before using in a recipe. To toast small nuts, chopped nuts and seeds, place in a small dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Cut Down on Dishes: A rimmed baking sheet is great for everything from roasting to catching accidental drips and spills. For effortless cleanup and to keep your baking sheets in tip-top shape, line them with a layer of foil before each use.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

31 Calories
2g Fat
2g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 16
Calories 31
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 1g 2%
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Vitamin A 404IU 8%
Vitamin C 7mg 7%
Folate 8mcg 2%
Sodium 91mg 4%
Calcium 18mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Magnesium 10mg 2%
Potassium 124mg 3%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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