Flavour bombs· VG · GF · DF · NUTS

Sun-dried Tomato Pesto

A rich red pesto of sun-dried tomatoes, almonds, basil, garlic and olive oil.

makes 13 cubes, about 39p each

BatchJoy

batchjoy.com/sauces/sun-dried-tomato-pesto/

Illustration of a bowl of Sun-dried Tomato Pesto

Time: 10 min10 min prep
Makes: 13 cubes
Cost per cubePer cube: 39p
Calories per cubeCalories: 119 kcal
A serving: 2 cubes
Spice: 1 of 5

You’ll need

Batch size

cubes

200gsun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
50galmonds, toasted
20gfresh basil
2 cloves (10g)garlic
100mlolive oil (use the tomato oil)
15mlred wine vinegar

Allergens: Tree nuts, Sulphites. Check the labels on stock cubes, sauces and pastes, as brands vary.

Use it for

Pasta for one with parmesan · 2 cubes; Spread in a chicken and mozzarella wrap · 1 cube; Stirred into a tomato soup · 1 cube

Method

Step 1: Toast the almonds in a dry pan until golden.
Step 2: Blitz the tomatoes, almonds, basil and garlic.
Step 3: With the motor running, add the oil and vinegar to a thick paste.
Step 4: Spoon into 30ml trays.
Step 5: Freeze. Add parmesan when serving.

Nutrition (estimated)
	kcal	protein	carbs	fat	fibre	salt
Per cube	119	1.7g	3.7g	10.9g	1.4g	0.31g
Per 2 cubes	238	3.4g	7.4g	21.8g	2.8g	0.62g

Cook’s notes

Drop straight onto hot pasta, or thaw 30 minutes for spreading.
Using the oil from the tomato jar adds flavour for free.
Contains nuts; walnuts or sunflower seeds work too.

Use it for

Pasta for one with parmesan · 2 cubes
Spread in a chicken and mozzarella wrap · 1 cube
Stirred into a tomato soup · 1 cube

Freeze, reheat and serve

Freeze: Cool it within two hours, freeze it in 30ml ice-cube trays, then bag and label the cubes. It keeps for 6 months.
Use from frozen: Drop straight onto hot pasta, or thaw 30 minutes for spreading. Never refreeze thawed cubes.
A portion: 2 cubes is a serving: about 238 kcal.

Sun-dried Tomato Pesto questions

Can I use dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes?

Soak them in hot water for 20 minutes until soft, then drain well. Use all olive oil, as there's no oil from a jar to add.

Why add vinegar?

A splash of vinegar cuts through the richness of the oil and almonds and brightens the tomatoes.

What else can I use it for?

Spread it on bruschetta, stir it through roast vegetables or couscous, or swirl it into hummus.

Updated 3 October 2026. Nutrition, costs and yields are estimates.