I love being able to use fresh ingredients from my garden which is one of the many reasons I love my homemade Basil Pesto Recipe with Sun Dried Tomatoes. I am going to admit that I don’t usually purchase sun dried tomatoes as I make my own dried tomatoes in a homemade dehydrator a friend gave me. At any rate, this pasta recipe is one your entire family will love so be sure to make plenty for everyone!

My Cheesy Tomato Hamburger and Pasta Dinner is another family favorite recipe…heck, my kids licked their plates clean!

You can use any fresh basil for this basil pesto recipe. We grew globe basil and purple basil this year, and I used the globe basil in this recipe. I think using a stick blender is easier than using a counter top blender for this recipe and makes for quicker clean up. Traditionally, one uses pine nuts in pesto, but I use whatever nuts I have one hand. I happened to have a bag of almonds and cashews (unsalted, raw) so I used those. Purists will want to run away right now, but I’ve never been one to conform so there you go. Here’s how to make my Easy Basil Pesto Recipe with Sun Dried Tomatoes:

Basil Pesto Recipe with Sun Dried Tomatoes

Ingredients

• 1 lb spaghetti or fettuccine pasta, cooked according to package directions and drained
• 1 cup nuts
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp onion salt
• 1 tsp garlic salt (I use Lawry’s)
• 2 cups packed fresh basil
• Freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes

Directions

In a medium skillet, heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil or medium high heat. Add nuts and saute until they start to turn golden. Watch and stir frequently so they do not burn. Remove from heat and add to a tall, narrow container or your blender.

Add onion salt and garlic salt.

Then add the 2 cups of packed fresh basil.

Top with the 1/2 cup of olive oil.

Blend on low and slowly increase to high until well blended and mostly smooth. It is okay to have a few very small chunks.

To serve individually, add cooked and drained pasta to a plate or bowl and top with the pesto. Top with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Add a few sun dried tomatoes and lightly mix into the pasta.

Make Basil Pesto Recipe with Sun Dried Tomatoes a meal by serving with bread or rolls and a fresh garden salad. Make a great and easy family meal idea!