Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Dip Recipe

While traditional pesto hails from Genoa, Italy, sun-dried tomato pesto emerged as a modern Mediterranean twist that’s now beloved worldwide. You’ll find this vibrant, rust-colored dip offers deeper, more concentrated flavors than its classic basil counterpart. The sweet-tart punch of sun-dried tomatoes, coupled with toasted nuts and fresh herbs, creates an irresistible spread that’s both sophisticated and approachable. If you’re ready to elevate your appetizer game, this versatile recipe promises to become your new entertaining essential.

Overview

• Process 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, 1 cup basil leaves, 1/4 cup pine nuts, and 2 garlic cloves until coarsely mixed.
• Add Parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dip base.
• Fold in softened cream cheese until fully incorporated, achieving a smooth and spreadable consistency.
• Refrigerate the dip for at least one hour before serving, or make up to three days ahead.
• Serve at room temperature with crusty bread, fresh vegetables, or crackers, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.

Recipe

This Mediterranean-inspired dip combines the rich, concentrated flavors of sun-dried tomatoes with fresh basil and creamy elements to create a memorable appetizer. The addition of walnuts instead of traditional pine nuts provides a robust nutty flavor while keeping the cost reasonable, and the cream cheese adds a smooth, luxurious texture that makes it perfect for spreading.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility and make-ahead potential. While it serves beautifully as a dip for crusty bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables, it can also be used as a spread for sandwiches or a sauce for pasta. The dip can be prepared up to three days in advance, making it an ideal choice for entertaining.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened

Cooking Steps

Begin your culinary journey by gathering your aromatic basil, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, toasted walnuts, and remaining ingredients at your workstation.

With your food processor ready, pulse the tomatoes, basil, garlic, and walnuts into a coarse mixture before adding the Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings to create a vibrant, textured paste.

Finally, fold in the softened cream cheese until fully incorporated, then allow your creation to chill for at least an hour, letting the rich Mediterranean flavors meld into a harmonious spread.

Step 1. Gather All Needed Ingredients

Before diving into this aromatic Mediterranean-inspired dip, gather your fresh and pantry ingredients: oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes with their intense sweetness, vibrant fresh basil leaves, pungent garlic cloves, toasted walnuts, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, bright lemon juice, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and softened cream cheese.

You’ll want to create a detailed shopping list to guarantee you’ve got everything ready. Let your cream cheese soften at room temperature while you’re prepping other ingredients. For best results, toast your walnuts until they’re fragrant and golden, and make certain your basil leaves are thoroughly washed and dried. Having all your ingredients measured and ready before starting will make the ingredient preparation process seamless and enjoyable.

Step 2. Process Into Coarse Mixture

Now that your ingredients are prepped and measured, start by adding the sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, toasted walnuts, and garlic cloves to your food processor bowl. You’ll want to pulse these ingredients in short bursts, watching through the clear bowl as the mixture transforms into a coarse, rustic blend.

For proper food processor operation, scrape down the sides of the bowl between pulses to guarantee every ingredient gets evenly chopped. You’re aiming for a coarse texture consistency where you can still distinguish individual pieces – think of a rough mosaic rather than a smooth paste. This textural element will give your finished dip character and complexity.

Stop processing when the mixture resembles a chunky, fragrant blend with pieces about the size of small peas.

Step 3. Add Remaining Ingredients

With your coarsely chopped base ready, you’ll add the remaining ingredients that transform this mixture into a luxurious pesto dip. Pour in the golden olive oil and watch as it binds the ingredients, creating a silky texture. Add the nutty Parmesan, bright lemon juice, salt, and pepper, processing until the flavors meld while maintaining that desirable pesto texture.

Now comes the secret to this dip’s creamy indulgence: fold in the softened cream cheese until it’s perfectly incorporated. This final step creates a smooth, spreadable consistency that’s perfect for make-ahead convenience. You’ll notice how the cream cheese mellows the intense flavor profiles of the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic while adding a luxurious mouthfeel that’ll keep your guests coming back for more.

Step 4. Fold in Cream Cheese

Gently folding the softened cream cheese into your sun-dried tomato mixture requires a light touch and patient technique. Using a rubber spatula, gradually incorporate the cream cheese by cutting through the center of the mixture and folding the contents over itself. You’ll notice the vibrant red pesto transform as streaks of cream cheese create a marbled effect.

Continue folding until you achieve a smooth consistency throughout, being careful not to overmix. The goal is to maintain the pesto’s characteristic texture while creating a creamy texture that’s perfect for dipping. As you work, scrape down the sides of the bowl to guarantee every bit of cream cheese blends evenly. Once you’ve achieved a uniform color and no white streaks remain, your dip is ready for its essential resting period in the refrigerator.

Step 5. Chill Before Serving

After all your careful mixing, the crucial chilling period allows your sun-dried tomato pesto dip to develop its full flavor potential. The ideal chilling duration is at least one hour, though you’ll get even better results if you can wait two to three hours.

During this time, the garlic mellows, the herbs infuse the oils, and the cream cheese firms up to the perfect consistency.

Before serving, you’ll want to assess the texture. If it’s too firm, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes and give it a quick stir. For texture adjustment methods, you can always add a drizzle of olive oil to reach your desired consistency.

Your patience will be rewarded with a perfectly balanced dip that’ll wow your guests and complement any appetizer spread.

Top Tips

To elevate your sun-dried tomato pesto dip from good to exceptional, several key techniques make all the difference. Toast your walnuts until they release their nutty aroma, bringing depth to your creation. When selecting sun-dried tomatoes, choose ones packed in oil for maximum flavor and superior texture.

For delightful flavor variations, experiment with different herbs alongside the basil – a handful of fresh oregano or thyme can create exciting new dimensions. When entertaining, serve your dip in a rustic earthenware bowl surrounded by colorful vegetable crudités and artisanal crackers. You’ll find this dip becomes a conversation starter at any gathering. Don’t forget to drizzle a touch of extra virgin olive oil on top just before serving, creating an inviting glisten that beckons guests to indulge.

Nutritional Guide

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Calories	180
Total Fat	17g
Carbohydrates	5g
Protein	4g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Sodium	280mg

Additional Nutritional Notes:

• Rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats from olive oil and walnuts
• Good source of calcium from Parmesan cheese
• Contains antioxidants from sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil
• Provides omega-3 fatty acids from walnuts
• Low in sugar and carbohydrates

Disclaimer: Nutritional values may vary depending on specific brands and products used, serving sizes, and preparation methods. These figures are estimates and should be used as a general guide only.

Final Thoughts

While mastering any new recipe takes practice, this sun-dried tomato pesto dip offers a foolproof way to create a luxurious Mediterranean appetizer that’ll wow your guests. You’ll appreciate its flavor versatility, whether you’re spreading it on crusty ciabatta or serving it alongside crisp vegetables at your next gathering.

The make-ahead convenience allows you to focus on entertaining rather than last-minute preparation. As you experiment with this recipe, don’t hesitate to adjust the seasonings to match your taste preferences.

Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner party or contributing to a potluck, this dip will become your go-to recipe. Its rich, savory profile and creamy texture make it a standout addition to your appetizer repertoire, ensuring you’ll always have a reliable crowd-pleaser at your fingertips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Substitute Dried Basil for Fresh Basil in This Recipe?

Since dried basil is 3x more potent than fresh, you’ll want to use just 2/3 cup dried basil. Rehydrate it in warm water for 10 minutes first to restore its aromatic oils and guarantee smooth blending.

How Long Can I Keep This Dip at Room Temperature?

You’ll want to keep your creamy dip at room temperature for no more than 2 hours. After that, store it in your fridge to maintain its fresh, vibrant flavors and safeguard food safety.

Is It Possible to Freeze This Pesto Dip?

Like a time capsule of Mediterranean flavors, you’ll be delighted to know that you can freeze this creamy creation for up to 3 months. Just store it in an airtight container and thaw overnight before enjoying.

What’s the Best Method for Rehydrating Dry Sun-Dried Tomatoes?

You’ll transform those leathery sun-dried tomatoes into plump, tender morsels by soaking them in hot water for 30 minutes. For extra flavor, try reconstituting them in olive oil overnight in your refrigerator.

Can I Make This Recipe Dairy-Free by Omitting the Cheese?

You can definitely make this dairy-free! Replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast and swap cream cheese for softened cashew cream. You’ll need to adjust olive oil slightly for texture, but you’ll still achieve that rich, creamy result.