Heart-Healthy Tomato Pesto
Elevate your meals with this vibrant and nutritious Heart-Healthy Tomato Pesto, a flavorful twist on the classic pesto that swaps traditional Parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast and incorporates heart-smart ingredients like cherry tomatoes, raw almonds, and extra-virgin olive oil. This quick and easy recipe, ready in just 15 minutes, is a perfect choice for those seeking a delicious, low-sodium option that supports overall wellness. Fresh basil and a hint of lemon juice deliver bright, aromatic notes, while toasted almonds add a satisfying nuttiness to this creamy, guilt-free sauce. Versatile and packed with plant-based goodness, this pesto can be used as a pasta sauce, vegetable topping, or spread—all while prioritizing heart health.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 0.5 cups Raw almonds
- 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cups Extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Low-sodium vegetable broth
- 2 cloves Minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 0.25 teaspoons Ground black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat a small skillet over medium heat and lightly toast the raw almonds for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine the cherry tomatoes, toasted almonds, fresh basil leaves, and minced garlic.
3. Pulse the mixture a few times to begin breaking down the ingredients.
4. Add the extra-virgin olive oil, low-sodium vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice to the blender or food processor.
5. Blend until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. For a smoother pesto, blend longer; for a chunkier texture, pulse only a few more times.
6. Season with ground black pepper to taste. Avoid adding salt to maintain the heart-healthy qualities of the pesto.
7. Use the tomato pesto immediately as a sauce for whole-grain pasta, a topping for grilled vegetables, or a spread on whole-grain bread. Alternatively, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1049 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 95.5 g | 122% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.0 g | 55% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 168 mg | 7% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.0 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.2 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.4 g | ||
| Protein | 24.3 g | 49% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 256 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 5.2 mg | 29% | |
| Potassium | 1552 mg | 33% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
